Conjunctival Tattoo With Inadvertent Globe Penetration and Associated Complications

Abstract

An unusual case of conjunctival tattooing resulted in severe inflammation, capsular lens opacity, and secondary glaucoma. Because of the increasing popularity of eyeball tattooing, coupled with the procedure being performed by untrained professionals, potentially severe complications of this procedure may become more common.

Tattoo‐associated uveitis with or without systemic sarcoidosis: a comparative review of the literature

“…No conference abstracts were selected. We excluded from this review cases of eye inflammation related to direct tattooing of the sclera …”

Inadvertent Intravitreous Ink Injection from Subconjunctival Tattooing Causing Intraocular Inflammation and Retinal Trauma

“…Reported complications include anterior uveitis, secondary glaucoma, vitritis, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and inadvertent globe penetration. 2–3 To our knowledge, this case report is only the second showing intraocular cytopathology, which demonstrates persistent ink remnants engulfed by macrophages as well as intracytoplasmic erythrocytic particles from prior vitreous hemorrhage. This macrophage response is analogous to the previously reported histopathology seen in cutaneous tattoos in which the foreign pigment is engulfed by dermal macrophages, at times inciting a foreign-body granulomatous reaction.…”

Episcleral mass secondary to ocular surface tattooing

“…Tattooing of the sclera or episclera is a form of body modification performed by tattoo artists, which involve injection of tattoo pigment beneath the bulbar conjunctiva. Complications include episcleral nodules, uveitis, orbital cellulitis and inadvertent globe penetration potentially leading to corneal endothelial decompensation, retinal detachment, glaucoma and endophthalmitis requiring enucleation 1‐4 …”