Review Question - QID 102787

This patient presents with a corneal foreign body. The most common organsim cultured from corneal foreign bodies is coagulase negative staphylococcus.

A corneal foreign body is an eye trauma due to the introduction of a particle into the corneal epithelium or stroma. Intraocular foreign bodies are common and often caused by the operation of drills, hammers, or other tools. The presence of a foreign body may lead to an inflammatory response, causing vasodilation and swelling of the surrounding lid and conjunctiva. Intraocular foreign bodies should be removed surgically by an ophthalmologist. Systemic and topical antibiotic treatment is recommended.

Peate reviews work-related ocular injuries. Common work-related eye illnesses and injuries include blunt trauma, conjunctivitis, corneal abrasions, foreign bodies, and chemical burns. Ocular foreign bodies often co-occur with corneal abrasions. While superficial foreign bodies may be removed with a wet cotton swab, deeper foreign bodies require removal under a slit lamp or by an ophthalmologist. Rust rings are due to rust residue from the oxidation of a ferrous foreign body.

Wipperman and Dorsh describe the diagnosis and treatment of corneal abrasions. Corneal abrasions are due to damage of the cornea and can present with pain, tearing, photosensitivity, and a foreign body sensation. Diagnosis can be confirmed by fluorescein staining of the cornea, which will show the abrasion as green under cobalt blue light. Treatment includes pain control with topical NSAIDs or oral analgesics and topical antibiotics.

Figure A shows a patient with an iron fragment lodged in the cornea.

Incorrect answers:
Answers 1, 3, 4, and 5: The most common organisms cultured from corneal foreign bodies are coagulase negative staphylococcus.