Visual Outcomes and Prognostic Factors of Intralenticular Foreign Bodies in a Tertiary Hospital in North China

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological and visual outcomes and to identify the main prognostic factors of intralenticular foreign body (ILFB) injuries. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 21 patients (21 eyes) referred to Hebei Eye Hospital in North China from January 2012 to December 2017, who underwent surgical removal of ILFBs and associated ocular trauma repairs. Data regarding the patient demographics, cause of the injury, nature of the ILFB, clinical features, time interval between the injury and the ILFB removal, time interval between the presentation and the surgery, and the initial and final best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs) were analyzed, and the main prognostic factors were identified. RESULTS: Male adults were most affected by ILFBs (90.5%). The mean age of the patients was 41.5 years (median: 46 years, range: 21 to 60 years). None of the patients were wearing goggles at the time of the injury. The most common ILFB cause was hammering the metal (57.1%), and most of the ILFBs were metallic (71.4%). After medical treatment, the final BCVA was improved significantly (Z = 2.49, P=0.015). There was a significant association between the ILFBs with posterior segment injuries and the final BCVA (χ(2) = 10.03, P=0.01). Those factors showing no statistical association with the final BCVA included the age (χ(2) = 0.36, P=1.0), gender (χ(2) = 0.52, P=1.0), nature of the ILFB (χ(2) = 1.11, P=0.54), entrance wound location (χ(2) = 2.85, P=0.25), and time interval between the injury and the ILFB removal (χ(2) = 1.87, P=0.23). CONCLUSION: This is the first local study to explore the epidemiology of ILFB injuries and to identify the main prognostic factors. There was a significant association between the ILFBs with posterior segment injuries and the final BCVA. Improved public awareness and strengthened education regarding safety are the key approaches to reduce the incidence of eye injuries.