What began as a severe workplace eye injury years ago continued to affect a 45-year-old man through recurrent infections, inflammation and persistent discomfort until doctors at Sankara Eye Hospital, Jaipur, discovered that a tiny fragment of stone had remained lodged inside his injured eye. The retained foreign body was successfully identified and surgically removed by a multidisciplinary ophthalmic team.
The patient had sustained a severe eye injury while working with a chisel and hammer, resulting in complete loss of vision in the affected eye. Although he received treatment following the initial trauma, a small stone fragment remained inside the eye. Over time, the retained fragment became a source of repeated infection, inflammation and discomfort. Despite previous treatment, his symptoms continued to recur, prompting further evaluation at Sankara Eye Hospital, Jaipur.
A detailed ophthalmic examination and investigations detected the retained foreign body. Given its location and the recurrent nature of the infections, Dr. Priyanka Saini and Dr. Shreya Chandra, jointly planned and performed the procedure. The surgical team carefully located and removed the retained stone fragment using microsurgical techniques and simultaneously managed the surrounding infected and inflamed tissue.
Following the procedure, the patient experienced relief from the recurrent infections and discomfort. While his vision could not be restored because of the severity of the original trauma, removal of the retained foreign body helped improve the overall health and comfort of the affected eye
Dr. Priyanka Saini, Associate Consultant – Orbit and Oculoplasty, Sankara Eye Hospital, Jaipur, said: “Foreign bodies retained inside the eye following trauma can sometimes remain undetected and may become a source of recurrent infection, inflammation and discomfort. In cases involving penetrating or high-velocity injuries, a thorough ophthalmic evaluation is important even when the initial injury has already been treated. Timely identification and removal of a retained foreign body can help prevent recurrent complications and preserve the health of the affected eye.
Dr. Shreya Chandra, Associate Consultant – Cornea, Sankara Eye Hospital, Jaipur, said: “This case highlights the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing complex ocular trauma. The location of the retained stone fragment and the recurrent infections required careful assessment and coordinated surgical management. Although the patient’s vision could not be restored because of the extent of the original injury, removing the retained foreign body helped resolve the recurring infection and discomfort and improved the condition of the affected eye.”
Dr. Neeraj Shah, Chief Medical Officer and Consultant – Cataract, Cornea & Refractive Services, Sankara Eye Hospital, Jaipur, said: “that severe injuries involving stones, metal fragments or tools can sometimes result in delayed complications, particularly when a foreign body remains undetected. He emphasised the importance of detailed ophthalmic evaluation and appropriate imaging when symptoms persist or recur following significant ocular trauma.”
The case underscores an important message for people who have suffered penetrating or high-velocity eye injuries: treatment of the initial wound may not always mark the end of the problem. A retained foreign body can potentially cause complications later and may require specialised ophthalmic assessment.
The case also demonstrates the value of bringing together different ophthalmic subspecialties when trauma involves the cornea, orbit and surrounding ocular tissues.