Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Factors for Visual Outcome in Intraocular Foreign Body Cases Treated at a...

Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) remain a significant cause of visual impairment worldwide. The complex nature of IOFB cases poses considerable management challenges, contributing to various outcomes. This study aimed to determine clinical characteristics and prognostic factors associated with visual outcomes following IOFB treatments.

We conducted a retrospective review of IOFB patients admitted between January 2019 - January 2024 at a tertiary hospital in Indonesia. Medical records were evaluated based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

A total of forty-six patients (46 eyes) were analyzed, of which 76.1% had metallic IOFBs (35 eyes), predominantly caused by hammering metal (70%). Cornea was the most frequent entry site (31 eyes). The mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 1.74 ± 1.01 (logMAR), improving to 1.28 ± 1.03 at the final follow-up. Univariate analysis showed larger IOFB size, worse initial BCVA, longer injury-to-surgery intervals, higher complications, endophthalmitis, traumatic cataract, secondary glaucoma, and primary surgery with lensectomy were significantly associated with poor final BCVA. Multiple logistic regression identified poor baseline BCVA and the need of additional lensectomy procedure as independent risk factors for lower final BCVA.

Lower preoperative BCVA and concomitant lensectomy subsequent to IOFB removal were significant predictors of poor visual prognosis.