Unintended Presence of Human Cilium in the Anterior Chamber After Phacoemulsification: A Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

Cataract surgery has consistently demonstrated safety and efficacy in restoring vision through the removal of visually-significant cataracts. Advances in surgical techniques and technology have led to excellent visual outcomes and minimal complications. Despite this, rare complications can occur, such as the introduction of intraocular foreign bodies, including cilia. Although extremely uncommon, the presence of cilia in the eye post intraocular surgery poses potential risks, including infection and inflammation. This study presents two distinct cases of intraocular cilia found in the anterior chamber following crystalline lens extraction with phacoemulsification. In both cases, cilia were identified shortly after the procedures, despite any signs of foreign bodies at the conclusion of the surgical procedure. This study also explores potential mechanisms for cilia migration into the eye, including the self-sealing nature of clear corneal incisions and the characteristics of cilia through a brief literature search of reported cases in the current literature. This study highlights the need for careful surgical practices to minimize the risk of foreign body complications and underscores the importance of continued research into intraocular foreign body management.