Keratoconjunctivitis caused by an unusual retained conjunctival foreign body: A frequently unrecognized entity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a case series of keratoconjunctivitis caused by a retained bindi (dot) in six children who presented to a tertiary eye care facility in Southern India. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a period of 11 years (January 2000 and January 2012), six children (all female, ranging in age from 6 months to 3 years) were diagnosed with ocular manifestations subsequent to a retained bindi. RESULTS: All patients presented with redness, photophobia, extensive lacrimation, and blepharospasm. Two patients presented with mucopurulent conjunctivitis, three patients with suppurative keratitis and one patient presented with corneal epithelial defect. After removal of the foreign body the response to topical antibiotics was good in five of six cases, whereas one patient required therapeutic keratoplasty. CONCLUSIONS: Young children presenting with unilateral keratitis and conjunctivitis should alert the clinician to the possibility of a retained foreign body in the eye.