Bilateral intraocular foreign bodies simulating crystalline lens

Am J Ophthalmol. 2004 Jul;138(1):146-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2004.01.046.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of large bilateral intraocular foreign bodies mistaken for crystalline lens on computed tomography (CT).

Design: Case report.

Methods: A 24-year-old man was referred after bilateral open globe repair following a motor vehicle accident. Preoperatively, the CT scan had been read as "Right eye posteriorly dislocated lens. No evidence of foreign bodies."

Results: The patient underwent left eye cataract extraction with removal of a 7 x 5 x 5 mm piece of glass buried in the crystalline lens. The patient subsequently underwent right eye pars plana vitrectomy, removal of another piece of glass measuring 6 x 5 x 5 mm, retinal detachment surgery, and corneal grafting.

Conclusions: Current safety standards require auto glass to fracture into pieces of a specific size to minimize laceration and missile injury. These pieces of glass may have a shape and size similar to the crystalline lens but have higher radiodensity on CT scan.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Adult
  • Cataract Extraction
  • Corneal Injuries*
  • Corneal Transplantation
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Eye Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Eye Foreign Bodies / surgery
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / diagnostic imaging*
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / surgery
  • Glass*
  • Humans
  • Lens Subluxation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lens Subluxation / surgery
  • Lens, Crystalline / injuries
  • Male
  • Retina / injuries
  • Retinal Detachment / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Visual Acuity