[Ocular metallosis : when a tiny foreign body oxidises a whole eye !].

Ocular metallosis is a rare ophthalmologic condition characterized by alterations of all intraocular structures in the setting of a metallic intraocular foreign body. There are two main types: ocular siderosis - the most frequent and most deleterious - and ocular chalcosis. The lesions can lead to total functional loss of the affected eye. We report the case of a young man presenting a late-stage ocular siderosis, for whom surgical removal of the foreign body did not result in functional recovery, given the end-stage lesions. We then summarize the pathophysiological, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of ocular metallosis. We particularly want to insist on the importance of a prevention policy in at-risk situations, and of quick management in case of a suspected metallic intraocular foreign body, in order to avoid ocular morbidity.