Post-traumatic cilia remaining inert in the anterior chamber for 50 years: a case report

Abstract

IntroductionThe present report concerns what is, to the best of our knowledge, the first case of post-traumatic cilia that has remained inert for approximately 50 years after its inoculation into the eye.Case presentationA 69-year-old Caucasian woman whose right eye had been struck by a dining fork approximately 50 years earlier was examined on presentation two years ago. In her right eye, both uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuities were 0.1 (in decimal notation). Along with a nuclear cataract, a straight linear extension was found extending beneath the iris at the nine o'clock position reaching the center of the pupil, which appeared to be a cilium measuring 7 mm. After the removal of the cilia, an uncomplicated phacoemulsification was performed and a posterior chamber intra-ocular lens was implanted. Her post-operative course was uneventful, and visual acuity remained 1.0 for the 22-month follow-up period.ConclusionsIntra-ocular cilia can be tolerated for as long as 50 years without causing any ocular reaction.

Traumatic insertion of eyelashes into corneal stroma

“…Cilia have been reported in the anterior chamber with no intra-ocular inflammation for up to 50 years [8]. Conversely, intra-corneal or intra-ocular cilia have been reported to lead to uveitis [9], endophthalmitis [10], iris cyst [11], corneal endothelial cell deficiency [12] and anterior lens opacification [13].…”

Intraocular eyelashes and iris cyst in anterior chamber following penetrating eye injury: a case report

“…The posttraumatic intraocular cilia have been reported to remain silent for 50 years 10. The intraocular eyelashes may be associated with corneal edema, granulomatous inflammation, cyst formation, intralenticular abscess, retinal detachment, endophthalmitis and even sympathetic ophthalmia 3,4,12–14.…”

“…The response of the eye to intraocular eyelashes is variable. The eyelash may remain asymptomatic for long periods9,10 or may be symptomatic 4,11. We report an uncommon case with coexistence of two intraocular eyelashes and a secondary iris cyst after 2 years of asymptomatic period following penetrating eye injury.…”

Corneal Trauma in a 6-Year-Old Boy

“…1 The ocular response to penetrative cilium in the anterior chamber varies from asymptomatic tolerance for decades to severe consequences such as anterior uveitis, posterior synechiae, cataract formation, and endophthalmitis. [1][2][3][4][5] These complications are likely due to concurrent introduction of microbes with the penetrative cilium, which may lead to intolerance and inflammatory sequelae. 1 The decision to remove the intraocular cilium is debatable and multifactorial.…”