Peripatetic intraocular foreign body.

The majority of retained intraocular foreign bodies are ferrous in nature, and their magnetic properties ensure their ready removal from the eye. In a small proportion of cases the retained foreign body does not exhibit magnetic properties. These patients present a problem in management to the ophthalmologist, as it is a heavy responsibility to undertake the removal of a nonmagnetic foreign body from the posterior segment of the eye. In certain circumstances the decision is made to defer operative removal for a time. A case is presented where such a decision led to an unexpected denouement. Report of Case A 7-year-old boy was brought to the hospital on Empire Night with a severe injury to the left eye. He said he was holding a firecracker in his hand when it exploded, and something struck his left eye. There was no reliable observer at the accident. Remarks made by the boy