Management of siderosis bulbi due to a retained iron-containing intraocular foreign body.

The authors report their experience in managing 14 cases of siderosis bulbi secondary to a retained iron-containing intraocular foreign body (IOFB). The IOFB was removed in 12 of the 14 eyes. The IOFB was removed with a sclerotomy and external magnet (5 eyes), a pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and intraocular forceps (5 eyes), a PPV and intraocular magnet (1 eye), and a PPV with aspiration using the suction mode of the vitrectomy instrument (1 eye). A siderotic cataract developed in 11 eyes and cataract extraction resulted in postoperative visual acuity ranging from 20/15 to 20/40. The most recent siderotic cataracts have been managed with cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation. No patient in this series experienced visual deterioration after receiving medical attention. The current management of siderosis bulbi is discussed.