Unusual case of an intraocular tooth as a foreign body after a car accident

Abstract

Purpose: We report a case of a 56-year-old man who sustained open-globe ocular trauma in his left eye during a vehicular accident, resulting in the identification and surgical removal of intraocular tooth fragments. Observations: The corneal wound was closed during initial surgery. An intraocular foreign body was not detected on mode B echography, complicating the diagnostic process. During a subsequent surgery, a vitrectomy was performed, leading to the discovery and removal of an intraocular tooth fragment. Two weeks postoperatively, the patient's best-corrected visual acuity was 20/800. Conclusions and importance: This case highlights the dual role of vehicular restraint systems, which protect occupants yet may inadvertently contribute to ocular injuries. It also highlights the rarity and clinical significance of intraocular tooth fragments as foreign bodies.

Keywords

• Intraocular tooth
• Ocular trauma
• Intraocular foreign body
• Open globe injury
• Vitreoretinal surgery
• Motor vehicle accident