Low-cut, low-vacuum vitrectomy for releasing an embedded intraocular foreign body

Abstract

Background Removal of an embedded intraocular foreign body remains challenging due to the risks of bleeding and retinal damage. We present a novel technique to deal with this situation. Case report A 32-year man presented with two months of decreased vision in one eye (best corrected visual acuity of 20/200), a year after a workplace injury that necessitated surgery for an open globe injury. Examination revealed the sequalae of his previous surgery, a subtotal retinal detachment and an embedded intraocular foreign body close to inferior ora serrata at the 6 'o clock position confirmed by imaging. The other eye was normal. A pars plana vitrectomy was performed and the embedded intraocular foreign body was released from surrounding dense adhesions using the vitrectomy probe set at 1000 cuts/minute and 100 mm Hg vacuum, followed by fluid air exchange and endolaser with silicon oil injection. The retinal detachment settled well post-operatively, and at the end of one month, the patient had best corrected visual acuity of 20/60. Conclusions The low-cut, low-vacuum vitrectomy technique can be considered as a safe option for releasing the embedded intraocular foreign body in complex ocular trauma scenarios.