Corneal injury from a metallic foreign body: an occupational hazard.

PURPOSE: To describe a patient with a corneal injury from a metallic foreign body caused by negligence, and to highlight the importance of measures that must be taken to prevent corneal injuries.

METHODS: A 21-year-old man experienced a foreign body sensation, pain, and redness in his left eye after he cut some iron material without using any eye protection. Slitlamp examination showed a thin, curled piece of iron material stuck into the cornea horizontally. The nasal part had penetrated the nasal tarsal conjunctiva below the upper lid.

RESULTS: After removal of the foreign body, the cornea healed without scarring after a short follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: A corneal foreign body is a common cause of ocular morbidity and loss of working hours. Most workers do not use protective eyewear during work. By consistently wearing proper safety eyewear, which is the easiest and most effective preventive measure, loss of sight can easily be prevented after an eye injury.