Phacoanaphylactic uveitis and traumatic cataract from artificial eyelashes in the anterior chamber: a case report

To report a case on artificial eyelashes in the anterior chamber from penetrating trauma.

44-year-old female without previous ophthalmologic history presented with a visual acuity of 20/125 in the left eye. Upon ophthalmic exam, eyelashes were found within the anterior chamber with anterior capsular violation resulting in phacoanaphylactic uveitis and traumatic cataract. Corneal stromal scars were noted in the superior cornea, likely a result of penetrating trauma from artificial eyelashes. A combined foreign body removal with cataract extraction and intraocular lens placement (CEIOL) procedure was successfully performed, and vision was restored to 20/20 at her 1 week follow up appointment. The patient was doing well with no complaints or concerns at her 1 month follow up.

Anterior chamber foreign bodies are a common occurrence, however artificial eyelashes as intraocular foreign bodies are much less common. Surgical extraction was successful, and the patient returned to baseline vision within a month.