Management of intraocular foreign bodies

Thirty-five consecutive cases of perforating ocular injuries with retained intraocular foreign body (IOFB) are examined in this retrospective study. Of the 35 cases with injuries, 30 (86%) were due to metallic foreign bodies. Of these, 25 (83%) involved foreign bodies of ferromagnetic origin. Magnetic extraction in combination with pars plana vitrectomy (or when possible, magnetic extraction alone) was successfully used to remove these foreign bodies. Even in cases where posterior vitrectomy is indicated, magnetic extraction allows good control of the foreign body during removal minimizing surgical trauma and the subsequent postoperative inflammatory response.