Orbital Foreign Bodies—Management and Therapy

Orbital foreign bodies are an interdisciplinary challenge. The indication for removing the foreign body depends mainly on localization and material, incidence of an orbital infection, and impaired vision. Risks and advantages should be exactly clarified preoperatively. The objective of our studies was to develop a therapy strategy under risk and benefit estimation.

In the last 10 years, we treated a total of 11 patients having orbital foreign bodies. Nine of 11 patients were operated, 3 in the course of emergency treatment. A CT scan was performed in all cases. One patient had an additional MRI investigation. In 7 cases the foreign body was removed successfully. Two patients had no operative treatment.

In all cases loss of function was connected with the trauma and not with surgery. CT is the first imaging modality in orbital trauma. Wooden foreign bodies are less common but are more often associated with infection. To prevent serious complications and permanent visual impairment, immediate therapy is necessary.

Therapeutic management of orbital foreign bodies demands close interdisciplinary cooperation. Wooden orbital foreign bodies should be immediately removed because of the high risk of amaurosis in case of infection.