A metal worker has a retained intraocular foreign body composed of more than 85 percent pure copper. The expected intraocular response is:

• A Slow deposition of copper causing a sunflower cataract over years
• B Retinal pigmentary degeneration indistinguishable from siderosis
• C No reaction provided the foreign body is sterile
• D An acute, severe, sterile inflammatory reaction simulating endophthalmitis ✓

Explanation

Pure copper is highly toxic to ocular tissue and provokes a violent suppurative-looking but sterile exudative reaction that mimics infectious endophthalmitis, requiring prompt removal. The sunflower cataract and golden-green corneal deposits belong to chalcosis, which occurs with copper alloys containing less than about 85 percent copper. Siderosis results from iron, not copper.

Reference: Kanski's Clinical Ophthalmology, 9th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.