Posters

A traumatic cataract caused by a metallic foreign body

Poster Details

First Author: P.Gouveia PORTUGAL

Co Author(s):    J. Macedo   J. Beato   C. Ferreira   J. Tavares Ferreira   J. Barbosa-Breda   F. Falcão-Reis

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To present a case of a traumatic cataract caused by a metallic foreign body that perforated the anterior capsule of the lens.

Setting:

Ophthalmology Department, Hospital São João, Porto, Portugal

Methods:

Case report

Results:

A 52-year old male man presented with foreign body sensation referred to his right eye OD. Visual acuity was 6/10 uncorrected OD and 10/10 uncorrected on the left eye (OS). Biomicroscopy revealed a metallic foreign body that penetrated the cornea on the superior nasal quadrant, transversed the anterior chamber and perforated the anterior capsule of the lens. The pupil sphincter was not affected. No lesions were observed on the posterior segment after dilation. The patient was initiated on systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids. The intra-ocular lens power was calculated for the OS. Cataract surgery was performed the following day: capsulorhexis was initiated at the perforation site; the intra-ocular foreign body was extracted and a full thickness corneal defect was observed. A therapeutic contact lens was placed upon completing the surgery. At 1 month post op the patient vision was 10/10 OD and 10/10 OS without correction. A millimetric leucoma was perceived in the superior nasal quadrant OD.

Conclusions:

This case emphasis the importance of removing an intra-ocular foreign body as promptly as possible, especially when the lens capsule has been compromised. Also, initiating antibiotics and, most importantly, corticosteroids was essential to minimize the risk of endophthalmitis and to improve cornea transparency, respectively. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE