Intraoperative choroidal detachment occurring in a case of perforating ocular injury

PURPOSE: To describe an intraoperative choroidal detachment due to balanced salt solution (BSS) leakage through the exit wound in a case with perforating ocular injury. OBSERVATIONS: The patient was a 22-year-old man who suffered from a left eye injury caused by a piece of wire during work. Vitrectomy was started after closure of the scleral wound, but surgical procedure could not be continued, as BSS leakage occurred into the subretinal and supra-choroidal spaces, resulting in a narrowed vitreous cavity, as we were slow to recognize the presence of the perforating ocular injury in this patient. Fluid-air exchange and air-silicone oil exchange in the vitreous cavity were performed to finish the initial surgery. Three weeks later, the reoperation was performed to remove silicone oil and insert an intraocular lens into the bag. Presently, 1 year 5 months following the second surgery, corrected visual acuity is 20/50. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Our findings indicate that BSS can leak through the exit wound into the subretinal and supra-choroidal spaces intraoperatively in a case of perforating ocular injury.