Study: Man had splinter lodged in cornea for 15 years

Authors of the study noted in some instances, a foreign body can be asymptomatic and go undetected for an extended length of time. (Image courtesy of Adobe Stock)

During a routine checkup with an ophthalmologist, it was discovered that a Boston-area man in his 30s had been living with a 3 mm splinter of wood lodged in his eye for more than 15 years.

Physicians from the Harvard Medical School and the Kresge Eye Institute at Wayne State University in Detroit published the case in BMJ Case Reports.¹

Writing in the journal, the authors called the case “remarkable.” They noted in some instances, a foreign body can be asymptomatic and go undetected for an extended length of time.

According to a New York Post report, the man was undergoing an eye examination with an ophthalmologist because he is diabetic.

According to the report, the patient recalled suffering an eye injury about 15 years ago while gardening. Even though he had immediate pain and discomfort in the eye, he elected not to seek medical treatment when the symptoms dissipated.²

The ophthalmologist did not immediately see any issues, but as the examination continued, something was spotted in the cornea.¹

The study, according to the Post report, did not indicate if the splinter of wood was removed. It had not perforated the cornea, the report indicated.

The patient was advised to continue normal activities and return to the ophthalmologist if he experienced any pain or vision issues.²

References

1. Asmaa Zidan; Joshua Barbosa; Jacob Diskin; Mark McDermott. Incidental finding of a retained intracorneal wooden foreign body. BMJ Case Reports. Published December 17, 2023. Volume 16, Issue 12. https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2023-258340

2. Archive VA, Twitter F on, feed G author R. Man had splinter lodged in his eye for 15 years: “Remarkable.” New York Post. Published December 15, 2023. Accessed December 18, 2023. https://nypost.com/2023/12/15/lifestyle/man-had-splinter-lodged-in-his-eye-for-15-years-remarkable/

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