Ocular Siderosis Secondary to Retained Intraocular Foreign Body: A Case Report

Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) can present in an insidious manner. A 20-year-old male presented with gradual visual loss in the right eye over a six-month period. He was found to have a dense cataract. During examination he was noted to have a small, healed corneal scar and subtle iris heterochromia. Further questioning revealed a previously undisclosed metal-on-metal hammering injury concerning for an IOFB. B-scan ultrasonography was inconclusive and CT studies confirmed the presence of IOFB. The patient underwent a combined cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation with a pars plan vitrectomy, removal of IOFB, and endolaser. He had an excellent visual outcome, despite developing siderosis. A high index of suspicion should be raised for any asymmetric cataract formation, especially in younger patients. Careful examination for findings such as healed corneal scars or iris heterochromia may aid in diagnosing previously undisclosed injuries.