Ocular trauma is a major cause of non-congenital blindness in children, resulting from either the trauma itself or secondary to amblyopia. Among 2.4 millions of cases of ocular trauma happening each year in the United States, 32% are reported in patients under 18 years old [1]. The Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT) describes the different types of ocular trauma depending on the traumatic mechanism and the resulting anatomic consequences. Open globe injuries refer to penetrating injuries and are often considered more severe than simple contusions or lamellar lacerations [2]. Incidence of open globe injury in the US is over 3.8 cases/100,000 cases of ocular trauma [3].

Intraocular foreign body (IOFB) injuries account for 18 to 41% of all open globe injuries [4]. They are associated with severe anatomical lesions, various complications and therefore major visual impairment. Although most cases of IOFB injuries are reported in adult population, representing approximately one third of open globe injuries [5], IOFB injuries also occur in children. However, few studies report IOFB in patients under 16 years of age, whereas the causes, clinical features, prognosis and complication rates seem to differ from adult series [4].

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical features and outcomes of children presenting with ocular trauma associated with intraocular and orbital foreign body.