title: Intraocular metallic-appearing foreign bodies after phacoemulsification.
abstract: Intraocular metallic-appearing foreign bodies in the anterior segment were seen in six eyes after cataract extraction by two-handed phacoemulsification. These fragments produced no symptoms and had no clinically significant effect on visual function. Similar-appearing foreign bodies were experimentally produced by applying ultrasound power with a phacoemulsification handpiece to the surface of a cyclodialysis spatula in vitro. Microscopic examination of the phaco handpiece tip and cyclodialysis spatulas revealed numerous surface irregularities, suggesting a possible source of these fragments. These results suggest that instrument touch during phacoemulsification may be the cause of the fragments. Long-term follow-up of these patients is required to determine the overall effect of the fragments.
authors.affiliation: Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York 10032, USA.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Braunstein
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Cotliar
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Wirostko
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Gorman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000869:Anterior Eye Segment / Q000473:pathology*; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D008670:Metals