In three eyes with a retained intraocular metallic foreign body, the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) integrity were evaluated by means of ERG (a-wave, b-wave, oscillatory potentials) and non-photic EOG responses from the RPE (hyperosmolarity response, Diamox response, bicarbonate response). All three cases were judged in an early stage of retinal impairment on the basis of a well-preserved or supernormal b-wave amplitude and showed good postoperative prognosis. Out of three non-photic responses from the RPE, only the bicarbonate response was preoperatively reduced in two out of the three eyes.