Prolonged Ocular Foreign Body Found on Repeat Visit to a Second Emergency Department.

Publication/Presentation Date

4-1-2023

Abstract

We describe a case where the patient presented to the emergency department (ED) with ocular irritation in the right eye with concomitant blurry vision that had been persistent for a week. The cause of this patient's ocular irritation and worsening visual acuity was determined to be a retained foreign body of the limbus. The foreign body had been in the patient's eye for about four months before he began to experience these symptoms. The four-month duration was established based on initial symptoms and a prior ED visit with no noted eye injury or foreign body detection, as well as the degree of overlying epithelization. This case highlights the importance of obtaining a thorough history and physical examination while emphasizing the high index of suspicion needed for translucent foreign bodies. Here, an inert foreign body erupted four months after injury. Additionally, this case stresses the importance of transition of care for ophthalmologic conditions. Consideration of any social determinants of health that could prevent as an example.

Volume

15

Issue

4

First Page

37819

Last Page

37819

ISSN

2168-8184

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

37214081

Department(s)

Department of Emergency Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty, Department of Medicine, USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Faculty, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article

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