Intraocular deposition of metallic fragments during phacoemulsification: possible causes and effects

We undertook a prospective slit lamp examination of 56 eyes which had undergone routine phacoemulsification, in order to determine the incidence of metallic intraocular foreign bodies. Characteristic small reflective particles were noted in 86%, with a mean of 5.1 particles per affected eye. No accompanying clinical problems were seen. The used phacoemulsification needles were examined with colour photography and scanning electron microscopy. A characteristic pattern of wear was observed, corresponding to an area under the plastic irrigating sleeve rather than at the tip. This suggests cavitation erosion rather than instrument contacts as the cause. Titanium alloy contains 6% aluminium, 4% vanadium and 0.25% iron. All its constituents may corrode and leach from the surface of the metal when in contact with body fluids and have been implicated in numerous adverse biological processes.