Hyphema caused by a metallic intraocular foreign body during magnetic resonance imaging.

PURPOSE: To report a 63-year-old man with a retained intraocular foreign body who developed a hyphema during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain.

METHODS

Case report and review of the current literature on ocular injury caused by intraocular foreign bodies when subjected to an electromagnetic field.

RESULTS

Our patient underwent a brain MRI, and the intraocular foreign body caused a hyphema and increased intraocular pressure. The presence and location of the intraocular foreign body were determined by computed tomography (CT).

CONCLUSION

Magnetic resonance imaging can cause serious ocular injury in patients with ferromagnetic intraocular foreign bodies. This case demonstrates the importance of obtaining an occupational history, and, when indicated, a skull x-ray or CT to rule out intraocular foreign body before an MRI study.