Magnet-Assisted Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Magnetic Intraocular Foreign Bodies

Abstract

Purpose: : To describe the short-term outcomes of patients with magnetic intraocular foreign bodies (MIFB) undergoing magnet-assisted pars plana vitrectomy.

Methods: : Ten consecutive patients who underwent magnet-assisted pars plana vitrectomy for MIFB removal from January 2005 to April 2007. The surgery consisted in standard three port pars plana vitrectomy and MIFB removal with an external electromagnet positioned in one of the superior sclerotomies (nasal or temporal). The size of MIFB was registered for all patients. Prophylactic laser photocoagulation was applied to retinal tears when judged necessary. Comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation was performed pre-operatively and at weeks 4, 12±1 and 24±2.

Results: : All 10 patients (nine men) completed the 24-week follow-up evaluation. The median age was 31.5 years (range, 18 to 48), and the MIFB was successfully removed in all patients. Median logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity at baseline was 20/80^-2 (range, HM to 20/20), and 20/200 (range, no light perception to 20/20) at week 24. The median greatest linear dimension of the MIFB was 5.83mm (range, 2.0 to 17.0). Transitory intraocular hypertension was verified in 2 cases and retinal detachment occurred in another two cases (one undergoing to phthisis bulbi).

Conclusions: : Magnet-assisted pars plana vitrectomy seems to be a feasible alternative surgical technique for removal of large MIFB.

Keywords: trauma • vitreous • retina