PURPOSE

To describe the results of management of glass intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs).

METHODS

A total of 51 eyes of 43 patients that sustained penetrating injury with glass IOFB were studied retrospectively. A total of 23.5% had IOFB only in the anterior segment; the rest had IOFB in the posterior segment alone or in both the anterior and posterior segments. Six eyes were followed conservatively despite IOFB in a functional eye. Removal of IOFB was combined with repair of retinal detachment (where present) using internal tamponade with gas or silicone oil or buckle.

RESULTS

After a mean follow-up of 16.8 months, 66.7% of eyes recovered better than 6/60 (20/200) vision and 75.6% had attached retina. On univariate analysis, scleral entry wound, posterior segment IOFB, larger size of IOFB, and retinal damage were found to be associated with poor anatomic outcome. Lower presenting visual acuity, hyphema, retinal damage, subretinal hemorrhage, detached retina, and larger IOFB were associated with a poor functional result. Multivariate analysis identified retinal damage caused by the foreign body as the only factor significantly associated with poor anatomic as well as functional outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Glass IOFBs are caused in a majority of cases by blast injury. Bilaterality is not uncommon. Presence of retinal damage is predictive of poor functional and anatomic results. Overall results are modest with modern vitreoretinal surgical techniques.