External Versus Internal Approach to the Removal of Metallic Intraocular Foreign Bodies

OBJECTIVE: To review the management of metallic intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) at a single institution and to compare the use of internal and external approaches for their removal. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on 70 eyes from 70 patients who underwent surgical removal of a metallic IOFB with either an internal (vitrectomy followed by forceps or internal magnet use) or external approach (large electromagnet) by seven vitreoretinal surgeons at a single institution between 1973 and 1996. Visual acuity and complications occurring with the two approaches were the main outcome measures studied. RESULTS: Overall, patients showed significant improvement in visual acuity following surgical intervention (P < 0.001) despite widely varying surgical techniques. When the authors compared patients treated with an external versus an internal approach they found no statistically significant difference with regard to visual outcome and a trend toward a higher rate of postoperative endophthalmitis in the external approach group. CONCLUSION: Surgical removal of metallic IOFB results in significant visual improvement. The external approach to the removal of magnetic metallic IOFB remains a viable treatment option in select cases.