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Most patients with intraocular foreign bodies have good prognosis
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WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Most patients with an intraocular foreign body have a “generally good prognosis,” according to one clinician.
H. Culver Boldt, MD, described some of his experiences managing patients with intraocular foreign bodies here at Retina 2005, in conjunction with Hawaii 2005, The Royal Hawaiian Eye Meeting.
Dr. Boldt said most patients with intraocular foreign bodies are young, with an average age between 29 and 38 years old. While the incidence of intraocular foreign bodies occurring in the workplace has recently decreased, the rates are still between 33% and 72% in reported case series, Dr. Boldt said. Conversely, the incidence of intraocular foreign bodies occurring in the home has recently increased, to between 30% and 42%.
“Most intraocular foreign bodies are caused by hammering, power tools and weapons,” Dr. Boldt said.
He stressed the importance of documenting the examination of the patient. “History is crucial in tailoring the evaluation and management of these patients,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of knowing what type of imaging to perform. “If your suspicion of intraocular foreign body is low, plain film imaging may be useful to document its absence. If your suspicion is high, do a CT or an MRI,” Dr. Boldt said.
Although there are several instruments and techniques used to perform intraocular foreign body removal, he said vitrectomy is the most commonly used technique.