An intraocular foreign body may elicit a chemical or immune reaction independent of any microbial contamination. Identification of the material can help decide if removal is required.
Types of reactions to foreign bodies:
(1) nonreactive and inert
(2) slowly reactive
(3) reactive
Nonreactive and inert:
(1) gold
(2) platinum
(3) silver
(4) tantalum
(5) glass
(6) plastic
(7) porcelain
(8) rubber
(9) talc
(10) gunpowder residue
(11) stone or rock
(12) sand
(13) coal
(14) concrete
(15) quartz
(16) cordite
(17) clay
(18) carbon
(19) solder (lead-tin)
Slowly reactive (somewhat inert):
(1) lead
(2) zinc
(3) aluminum
(4) cotton fibers
Reactive:
(1) copper (< 85% pure causes chalcosis; >= 85% endophthalmitis)
(2) iron (ferrous more toxic than ferric)
(3) crystalline lens material
(4) wood
(5) vegetable material
(6) hair
(7) bone
(8) nickel
(9) steel
(10) mercury
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
