Ocular siderosis

• Published in: Eye (London) Vol. 7; no. 3; pp. 419 - 425
• Main Authors: HOPE-ROSS, M, MAHON, G. J, JOHNSTON, P. B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basingstoke Nature Publishing Group 01.01.1993
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Ciliary Body - ultrastructure; Electron Probe Microanalysis; Eye Diseases - diagnosis; Eye Diseases - etiology; Eye Diseases - therapy; Eye Foreign Bodies - complications; Eye Injuries, Penetrating - complications; Humans; Injuries of the orbit. Foreign bodies of the eye. Diseases due to physical agents; Iron; Male; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron; Siderosis - diagnosis; Siderosis - etiology; Siderosis - therapy; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Visual Acuity; Vitrectomy; Human; Eye; Eye disease; Foreign body; Siderosis
• ISSN: 0950-222X; 1476-5454
• DOI: 10.1038/eye.1993.83

The authors report their experience in the management of 8 patients with ocular siderosis due to a retained intraocular foreign body (IOFB). All patients were male, aged between 19 and 39 years. Seven had a definite history of trauma; 3 had presented at the time of injury to a casualty department, and the diagnosis had been missed. The interval between injury and diagnosis ranged from 2 to 24 months. IOFB removal was performed in 7 patients: through a sclerotomy and magnet or foreign body forceps in 4 eyes and via a pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular foreign body forceps in 3 eyes. Cataract extraction was performed in 4 patients. Histological examination of specimens removed at the time of surgery showed iron deposition in the conjunctiva, anterior lens capsule and pars plana. Transmission electron microscope X-ray microanalysis showed that iron was contained in siderosomes, intracytoplasmic membrane-bound dense bodies. Final visual acuity was 6/12 or better in 6 patients and reduced to light perception in the remaining 2 due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy.