Penetrating ocular injury with a fetal scalp monitoring spiral electrode.

PURPOSE: To report a penetrating ocular injury resulting from inadvertent placement of a fetal scalp monitoring spiral electrode into the right eye of a preterm male with a face presentation.

METHODS

Case report and review of the literature.

RESULTS

A spiral electrode was screwed clockwise into the right eye, tearing the inferior retina and creating two inferior iridotomies. Severe myopic astigmatism resulted from gradual lens dislocation combined with elongation of the eye. Despite persistent occlusive therapy and aggressive optical correction, before and after lensectomy at age 3 years, visual acuity was only 20/200 at age 8 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Although complications from spiral monitoring electrodes are uncommon, this case emphasizes that before inserting a spiral monitoring electrode during labor, face presentation must be excluded to prevent inadvertent ocular injury.