Ocular siderosis

The authors report their experience in the management of 8 patients with ocular siderosis due to a retained intraocular foreign body (IOFB). All patients were male, aged between 19 and 39 years. Seven had a definite history of trauma; 3 had presented at the time of injury to a casualty department, and the diagnosis had been missed. The interval between injury and diagnosis ranged from 2 to 24 months. IOFB removal was performed in 7 patients: through a sclerotomy and magnet or foreign body forceps in 4 eyes and via a pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular foreign body forceps in 3 eyes. Cataract extraction was performed in 4 patients. Histological examination of specimens removed at the time of surgery showed iron deposition in the conjunctiva, anterior lens capsule and pars plana. Transmission electron microscope X-ray microanalysis showed that iron was contained in siderosomes, intracytoplasmic membrane-bound dense bodies. Final visual acuity was 6/12 or better in 6 patients and reduced to light perception in the remaining 2 due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy.