Intraocular Foreign Body: Etiology, Management, and Clinical Outcomes

The aim of this study was to evaluate patients with intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) treated in our center, which is a tertiary care general hospital, and to investigate the parameters affecting the final outcome.

Patients aged 18 years and older who underwent surgery for IOFB between October 2023 and November 2024 were included in the study. The variables analyzed were age, gender, location and anatomic regions of trauma, IOFB material and counts, initial and final (1 month after the last surgery) best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure.

A total of 116 patients (7.3%) were diagnosed with open globe injury and 17 patients (14.7%) had IOFBs. All patients were male with a mean age of 36.9±10.4 years. In univariate and multivariate analysis, IOFB size >4.0 mm and corneal injury were associated with poor visual acuity, whereas an initial visual acuity of 0.3 logMAR or above was associated with good visual acuity.

In conclusion, the presence of IOFB is important in the management of open globe injury patients. Patients with IOFB often require surgery more than once. Most of the injuries are work-related and preventable accidents. The use of appropriate protective eyewear during work should be encouraged to avoid the risk of serious eye injuries and vision loss.