Clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with intraocular foreign bodies from a Tertiary Eye Center in North China

Abstract

Abstract Background This study aims to describe the epidemiology and clinical features of patients with intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) and analyze the prognostic factors influencing final vision. Methods We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 159 patients (159 eyes) with IOFBs admitted to Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2021. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, and prognostic factors were analyzed. Results This study analyzed 159 patients (159 eyes) with IOFBs. The mean age of the patients was 41.58 ± 11.97 years, with 151 (95.0%) being males. The most common age group was 40–49 years. Based on discharge and follow-up results, IOFB removal was performed through pars plana incision in 105 (67.9%) eyes, corneoscleral limbus incision in 24 (15.1%) eyes, and original wound in 27 (17.0%) eyes. Of these, 44 eyes underwent IOFB removal without vitrectomy, while 55 eyes were treated with silicone oil. Post-vitrectomy, three cases showed secondary macular membrane, five cases exhibited retinal detachment, and enucleation was necessary in three cases. The final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, logMAR) was 1.65 ± 0.87, significantly better than preoperative visual acuity of 1.06 ± 0.88 (t = 8.21, p < 0.01). Multi-factor logistic regression analysis indicated that wound length, IOFB size, initial presenting visual acuity (VA), and macular lesions were prognostic factors for postoperative vision after intraocular foreign body surgery (p < 0.05). Conclusions In a tertiary eye center in northern China, IOFBs predominantly affected the working-age group, particularly males. Factors such as wound length, IOFB size, initial presenting VA, and macular lesions might impact the final visual outcome.