Causes and prevention of intraocular foreign bodies

The most frequent cause of intraocular foreign bodies involves a small piece of metal penetrating the eye following a metal-on-metal impact occurring at work. Other metallic foreign bodies resulting from aggression with firearms have become less frequent due to changes in the law. More rarely, intra-ocular foreign bodies may come from explosion, have a telluric origin, or else be made of glass. Treatment is primarily preventive. Eye accidents caused by foreign bodies at work are common. European-level standards therefore impose individual protective equipment adapted to user needs. These measures should be adopted not only in companies but also for handiwork at home.