Orbital Foreign Bodies

A foreign body may enter the orbit through the oral cavity, eyelids, or conjunctiva. Most commonly, these are plant fragments, grass awns, or pieces of wood, but bullets or other metallic objects may also be involved. Dogs most commonly show acute signs, including exophthalmos, protrusion of the third eyelid, conjunctival hyperemia and chemosis, episcleral congestion, periocular swelling, serous or mucopurulent ocular discharge, and marked ocular pain. Pain is present when an attempt is made to open the jaw.

An orbital foreign body most commonly causes orbital cellulitis or abscess, but may also cause hyphema and associated complications. A foreign body may occasionally rupture the globe.

Treatment

Ultrasonography, radiography, CT, and MRI can be used diagnostically. The foreign body must be surgically removed and any abscess drained. Systemic antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are used.

Orbital foreign body. This Boxer presented with pronounced cellulitis, protrusion of the third eyelid, lagophthalmos, and inability to open the mouth because of acute pain.

Orbital foreign body. The arrow indicates a foreign body protruding immediately adjacent to the maxillary molars, which are circled. The lower-right image shows the removed foreign body, a fragment of plant material.

Orbital foreign body. Same dog during surgical opening of the abscess after extraction of the foreign body. Mucopurulent material is draining from the abscess (arrow).

Orbital foreign body with severe inflammation of orbital soft tissues and mucopurulent ocular discharge.

Adapted from the Atlas of Ocular Diseases in Dogs and Cats by Dr. Siniša D. Grozdanić and colleagues. © Animal Eye Consultants of Iowa. The text and clinical images on this page are original content from the authors' own clinical practice and research, and may not be reproduced, distributed, or repurposed without permission.

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