Iron Foreign Body in the Optic Nerve without Ocular Siderosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An intraocular iron foreign body may cause many ocular complications, sometimes even blindness. Therefore, if possible, it should be removed to avoid ocular siderosis. We report a case in which a foreign body was trapped in the optic nerve and could not be removed. After a 2-year follow-up, no ocular siderosis or progressive deterioration in vision was found. This is the first case report of a foreign body in the optic nerve behind the eyeball in the PubMed literature.

METHODS

The authors describe the case of a 33-year-old man with an ocular trauma history at work. A metal iron foreign body was trapped in the optic nerve behind the eyeball, which was demonstrated by computed tomography.

RESULTS

There was no significant vision change and ocular siderosis by electroretinogram after 2 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Intra-optic-nerve foreign body may have a better ocular prognosis. Siderosis may not be seen in patients with optic nerve iron foreign body. Intraocular foreign body should be accurately studied before surgical procedures.