Retrospective Evaluation of Corneal Foreign Bodies with Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography

OBJECTIVES: To assess the anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) findings of various types of corneal foreign bodies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients with corneal foreign body were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who underwent anterior segment photography and Spectralis AS-OCT (Heidelberg Engineering GmbH, Germany) imaging were included. RESULTS: The AS-OCT findings of 22 eyes of 20 patients with corneal foreign body were reviewed. The mean age was 34.9±14.98 years (range, 15-71) with a female/male ratio of 4/16. The mean best corrected visual acuity at presentation was 0±0 LogMAR (range, 0-0). There were 18 metallic, 3 organic (chestnut burr), and 1 chemical clay foreign bodies. The metal materials demonstrated hyperreflectivity with a mirror effect. Chemical clay, which is an opaque material, had a hyperreflective appearance. Chestnut burr is an organic foreign body with a feather-like pattern and was not detected with AS-OCT. CONCLUSION: AS-OCT is a valuable non-invasive tool to define the characteristics of foreign bodies, as well as decide the proper treatment method and monitor patients with corneal foreign bodies.