Anterior segment optical coherence tomography and retained vegetal intraocular foreign body masquerading as chronic anterior uveitis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this single case report was to report the use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography for the diagnosis and management of a retained vegetal intraocular foreign body. RESULTS: A 23-year-old otherwise healthy male presented with a progressive vision loss in the right eye (RE). He reported a mild ocular trauma with a tree leaf 1 year ago followed by recurrent episodes of redness and pain in the RE that partially resolved after a self-medication with topical steroids. Visual acuity of the RE was limited to light perception. Slit-lamp examination of the RE showed an iris granuloma with overlying exudate and associated anterior chamber inflammatory reaction. Film X-rays, contact B-scan ultrasonography, and CT scan showed no abnormalities. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography revealed an enclaved iris foreign body. The foreign body was removed after a short course of local antibio-corticosteroid therapy. This was followed 2 months later by cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation, with subsequent improvement of visual acuity to 20/40. CONCLUSIONS: A missed intraocular foreign body can lead to sight-threatening complications. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography may be useful for detecting non-clinically evident intraocular foreign body involving the anterior segment masquerading as chronic anterior uveitis.