The Postoperative Results and the Risk Factors Between Removed and Retained Intraocular Foreign Bodies

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare the results and prognosis between the two groups; the removed (group A) and retained (group B). The factors which affect the final vision were also studied. METHODS: 57 eyes of 57 patients (56 male, mean age 36.3 years old) who had been managed for intraocular foreign bodies were divided in two; Group A 39 eyes, Group B 18 eyes. To determine prognostic factors for visual outcomes, variables including age of patient, visual acuity at first examination, kind and size of foreign body, site of penetration, intraocular location, timing and number of surgical session, and complications were compared with final visual acuity. RESULTS: The average follow up period was 26.8 months. During these period, the mean number of surgical treatment was 2.32 +/- 1.14 per one eye for primary closure or management of complications and sequelae. The risk factors which affect the final vision were initial visual acuity (p=0.000), size (p=0.012), number of surgical session (p=0.021) and retinal detachment (p=0.001), while others including age, kind, entry site, location, surgical timing and endophthalmitis showed no significance. There are no significant difference of anatomical and functional outcome between Group A and B, and there are no significant determinants among prognostic factors affecting final visual acuity between Group A and B. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic intraocular foreign bodies require early surgical removal and adequate management. However, our study suggests the final visual acuity correlates best with the extent of damage at the time of the initial injury, and the presence of an intraocualr foreign body doesn't affect the visual prognosis when compared to cases without a foreign body.