[Misdiagnosis of intraocular iron foreign bodies (author's transl)].

Out of 393 intraocular foreign bodies (1961-1975) 361 were magnetically removed and 32 non-magnetically (copper 7,brass,2,lead 5, glass 10, stone 3, wood 4 and plastic 1).60% of the foreign bodies were caused by hammer and chisel injuries.73 foreign bodies were diagnosed too late, in 71 cases no x-ray was made. The incidence of complications (infection, siderosis, retinal detachment was considerably increased where the foreign bodies were removed late. From the 73 foreign bodies (18.5%) the patient did not consult a doctor in 37 cases because of "insignificance". 4 times the family doctor was consulted, who treated the patient symptomatically. In 4 cases occurring in the weekend no eye-specialist could be ostensibly found. In 26 cases the ophthalmologist performed no x-ray control, and small foreign bodies were twice described as "x-ray plate artefacts" from the roentgen specialist. It must be an absolute rule in the eye-doctor's practice that every injury received while working with metals necessitates an x-ray control!