Origin of intraocular metallic foreign bodies during phacoemulsification.

This is the first report of a case of intraocular metallic foreign bodies retained after phacoemulsification in which the source was identified as silver emanating from the brazing of the irrigation tube as it entered the handpiece shell on its inner diameter. Although silver is considered to be inert in the eye and nonmagnetic, manufacturers should evaluate alternate methods of phacoemulsification handpiece design.