Intraocular foreign bodies. 297 consecutive cases.

The records of 297 patients with intraocular foreign body (IOFB) injuries were analyzed in a retrospective study ranging from 1956 to 1985, and the data of the three decades were compared. 62% of the IOFB were located in the vitreous, 13.5% in the posterior sclera. There was no significant difference between Haab's and Hirschberg's methods in removing the IOFB. In 6.7% an enucleation followed the primary operation, half of these due to postoperative infection. The number of injuries with IOFB has declined. The postoperative improvement of visual acuity has doubled in the last decade compared to the first. The importance of removing the IOFB is stressed, as an unsuccessful attempt considerably worsens the prognosis. 5 of the 297 cases were female, which emphasizes the causative occupational factor. Hammering was the commonest cause of IOFB (80%). None were wearing protective goggles. The importance of wearing protective goggles should be stressed in health education programs.