Outcomes of Retained Posterior Segment Intraocular Foreign Body Extraction With Coexisting Cataract Via The Limbus or The Pars Plana Route

Penetrating ocular injuries with retained posterior segment intraocular foreign body (IOFB) are relatively common and account for 17% to 41% of ocular injuries.

Intra ocular foreign body removal is indicated to avoid further many complications such as retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, retinal toxicity (secondary to chalcosis, siderosis) and sympathetic ophthalmia.

The surgical approach for a posterior segment IOFB is pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and its extraction either through the pars plana or the limbus.

PPV and IOFB extraction through sclerotomy is the most commonly used approach. Most commonly retained posterior segment intra ocular foreign bodies (IOFB) are removed after enlarging one of the sclerotomy ports during pars plana vitrectomy. Intra operative complications reported during IOFB extraction were hypotony, vitreous hemorrhage, incarceration of the retina in the wound, IOFB slippage. Reported post-operative complications were glaucoma and retinal detachment. Incidence of post-operative RD was reported to range from 22% to 79% with poor visual outcomes in most cases PPV and IOFB extraction through the limbal route is an alternative approach to remove IOFB. Complications reported were less frequent and include microscopic hyphema and vitreous hemorrhage. The incidence of post-operative retinal detachment after IOFB extraction through limbus was reported to range from 7.15% to 27.7 % The limbal route for retained posterior segment IOFB extraction can offer the following advantages: it allows visually controlled delivery of the IOFB from the posterior pole to the limbal exit and it has no relation to the vitreous base, thus minimizing the risk of creating a peripheral retinal break during extraction of intraocular foreign body, in contrast to the hidden part behind the iris when using the pars plana route.