Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) resulting from penetration into eye chambers are usually accompanied by notable visual impairment. In this study we report a 62-year-old man with asymptomatic intralenticular metallic foreign body for 30 years without significant complications.

This study is case report.

A 62-year-old man referred with decreased visual acuity in his left eye 30 years after he suffered ocular trauma while mowing. He had not been treated because he did not experience any discomfort until the recent decreased visual acuity. His uncorrected visual acuity was 20/40 and corrected was 20/30 in the left eye with normal right visual aquity. Central corneal opacity, an intralenticular metallic foreign body, and an intact posterior capsule were observed on slit lamp examination. Phacoemulsification with posterior chamber lens implantation and simultaneous removal of the intralenticular foreign body was performed. Seventeen days after the operation, his corrected visual acuity was 20/20, the intraocular lens was well-seated, and there was no intraocular inflammation.

Despite the absence of symptoms, patients reporting a history of lawn mowing should be thoroughly examined. IOFBs can be harmful because penetrating ophthalmic wound, while they may be associated with no inflammatory signs for many years as in this patient's clinical presentation.