Man lives 15 years with splinter in eye

30-year-old patient My Nam has lived with a 3mm long wooden splinter stuck in his eye for more than 15 years.

The rare case was reported at the Kresge Eye Institute in Detroit, Michigan. Doctors from Harvard Medical School and Wayne State University shared photos of the patient with the British Medical Journal on December 15.

The man went for an eye exam because he had diabetes, because people with the disease can develop a group of eye problems called diabetic eye disease that can cause blindness. Many people develop glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy.

At first, doctors did not notice anything unusual about the patient. After examining him, they discovered a 3mm long splinter in the cornea - the outermost layer of the eye.

A 3mm splinter was found hidden in a man's cornea. Photo: BMJ

The patient reported that 10 years ago, while gardening, he was pierced in the eye by a sharp object, causing extreme pain. However, the symptoms improved over time, eventually disappearing and the eye had no problems. Therefore, he decided not to seek medical attention. The man's vision has also been stable for many years.

Scientists call this case “remarkable”, because most foreign objects are found in the eye immediately after injury. Doctors will handle it promptly because they cause pain, redness, skin tears, and can create a source of infection.

"However, in some rare cases, foreign bodies leave no symptoms and go undetected for long periods of time," the study stated.

Doctors do not know if they will be able to remove the splinter. So far, the foreign body has not punctured the patient's cornea or caused blindness. The man was sent home after examination, with instructions to return to the doctor if he experiences pain or vision problems.

Thuc Linh (According to NY Post )

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