A Retrospective Analysis of 10,627 Cases of Foreign Bodies (18 Years) Near a Large Industrial Area - Our Experience

Abstract

BACKGROUND Knowledge of the effect of various foreign bodies in and around the eye with their complications is essential to prevent the blindness due to these metallic and non-metallic foreign bodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS We have analysed retrospectively several varieties of foreign bodies and their consequences, complications, at a clinic, situated near a large industrial area [related to iron and other metals]. This study has been done from 1997 to 2016. RESULTS Result of our study showed various types of foreign bodies, how they fell in eye, circumstances where one can get a FB in eye, their complications, cause of blindness due to these foreign bodies in rare situations. It is one of the largest study on external and internal FBs over the period of nearly 18 years, and the no. of FBs are 10,627. CONCLUSION Our study showed that most of the FBs are iron i.e. metallic in nature and the rest are like dust particles, vegetable particles, glass pieces, etc. Very few cases of the FBs were especially intraocular FB with ruptured globe leading to blindness. Awareness regarding prompt removal of FB and control of infection can reduce the incidence of blindness in these cases.