Ocular foreign body

The intrusion of an ocular foreign body into the globe typically necessitates surgical removal and may cause loss of vision.

Clinical presentation

Patients prevent in a highly variable manner based on the location and properties of the foreign body, as well as the presence of any associated trauma. Common symptoms include:

• tearing
• decreased visual acuity
• photophobia
• a "foreign body" sensation

Radiographic features

Ultrasound

Available at the point-of-care as a screening tool, many foreign bodies may be accurately identified with ultrasound. While sonographic findings differ based on the nature of the foreign body, common features include :

• abnormal echogenic structure with posterior acoustic shadowing
  • may demonstrate a twinkling artifact on color flow Doppler
  • reverberation artifacts commonly present
• vitreous hemorrhage commonly present
• may demonstrate location dependent mobility
  • a vitreous foreign body would be mobile, whereas a foreign body in the posterior orbital fat may not be
• other associated injuries may include:
  • globe rupture
  • retinal detachment
  • choroidal detachment

CT

A CT scan of the orbit is the modality of choice, as it provides superior localization of small foreign bodies, the anatomy of the surrounding structures, and any associated injuries. Unlike MRI, it may be used in the detection of a metallic foreign body .