Assessment and management of ocular foreign bodies.

Abstract

Ocular trauma in sports is unexpected and can result in dramatic vision loss. Some of the most insidious yet serious ocular injuries result from retained intraocular foreign bodies, and therefore sports physicians, trainers, and emergency physicians should have a high degree of suspicion when evaluating sports- and work-related eye injuries. This article presents a stepwise approach to history, physical exam, management, and referral when intraocular foreign bodies are a possibility. The authors also present pitfalls in diagnosis, give specific treatment options, and stress the importance of primary prevention and safety protection.