Corneal Foreign Bodies

Question 1

What is a corneal foreign body?

Answer 1

foreign material on or in the cornea, usually metal, glass, or organic material

Question 2

What is the pathophysiology of corneal foreign bodies?

Answer 2

corneal epithelium is richly innervated with pain fibres, irritation causes severe eye pain

Question 3

What is the main cause of corneal foreign bodies?

Answer 3

Accidental trauma

Question 4

What are the presenting symptoms of corneal foreign bodies?

Answer 4

• pain
• foreign body sensation
• tearing
• red eye

Question 5

DDx?

Answer 5

• Intra-ocular foreign body
• corneal abrasion
• keratitis

Question 6

What investigations are used for corneal foreign bodies?

Answer 6

• visual acuity
• slit lamp exam
• CT scan (looking for intraocular bodies)
• fluorescein exam (stains exposed foreign body)

Question 7

What is the management of corneal foreign bodies?

Answer 7

• removal of foreign body under local topical anaesthetic
• use fluroescein to see if its corneal foreign body (no stain as it hasnt penetrated basement membrane) or intraocular (stain seen)