BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An intraocular iron foreign body may cause many ocular complications, sometimes even blindness. Therefore, if possible, it should be removed to avoid ocular siderosis. We report a case in which a foreign body was trapped in the optic nerve and could not be removed. After a 2-year follow-up, no ocular siderosis or progressive deterioration in vision was found. This is the first case report of a foreign body in the optic nerve behind the eyeball in the PubMed literature. METHODS: The authors describe the case of a 33-year-old man with an ocular trauma history at work. A metal iron foreign body was trapped in the optic nerve behind the eyeball, which was demonstrated by computed tomography. RESULTS: There was no significant vision change and ocular siderosis by electroretinogram after 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-optic-nerve foreign body may have a better ocular prognosis. Siderosis may not be seen in patients with optic nerve iron foreign body. Intraocular foreign body should be accurately studied before surgical procedures.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An intraocular iron foreign body may cause many ocular complications, sometimes even blindness. Therefore, if possible, it should be removed to avoid ocular siderosis. We report a case in which a foreign body was trapped in the optic nerve and could not be removed. After a 2-year follow-up, no ocular siderosis or progressive deterioration in vision was found. This is the first case report of a foreign body in the optic nerve behind the eyeball in the PubMed literature. METHODS: The authors describe the case of a 33-year-old man with an ocular trauma history at work. A metal iron foreign body was trapped in the optic nerve behind the eyeball, which was demonstrated by computed tomography. RESULTS: There was no significant vision change and ocular siderosis by electroretinogram after 2 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-optic-nerve foreign body may have a better ocular prognosis. Siderosis may not be seen in patients with optic nerve iron foreign body. Intraocular foreign body should be accurately studied before surgical procedures.