A subconjunctival foreign body confused with uveal prolapse

Abstract

There are cases in which the presence of a foreign body (FB) is difficult to diagnose based on history taking or clinical examination. We report a case of subconjunctival FB confused with uveal prolapse. A 68-year-old man, who had the history of pterygium excision in his right eye, complained of irritation and congestion in that same eye. He also had the history of growing vegetables in a plastic greenhouse. It seemed to be a suspected uveal mass bulging through a focal scleral thinning site. On the basis of slit-lamp magnification, the lesion was presumed to be a hard and black keratinized mass embedded under the conjunctiva. Histopathologically, the removed mass was revealed to be a seed of the dicotyledones. Patients who show signs of prolapsed uvea or scleral thinning, possibility of a subconjunctival FB should be considered as differential diagnosis. In addition, a removed unknown FB should be examined histopathologically.

The sting of a honey bee: An unusual subconjunctival foreign body

“…There are several reports on ocular FBs involving larvae or wings of insects, beans, and plants. [ 1 2 4 5 6 7 ] A variety of foreign bodies may enter the conjunctival sac as it is exposed to the atmosphere. [ 1 ] Usually, conjunctival foreign bodies are found in the subtarsal sulcus.…”

“…However, there are cases in which the presence of the FB is difficult to diagnose based on mere history taking and/or clinical examination. [ 1 2 ]…”