ObjectiveTo observe and preliminarily evaluate the clinical efficacy of a magnetizable intraocular magnetic foreign body extractor combined with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for the treatment of posterior segment small-to-medium-sized magnetic intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB). MethodsA retrospective clinical study. A total of 12 patients (12 eyes) with consecutive posterior segment magnetic IOFB who underwent PPV combined with IOFB removal at the Department of Ophthalmology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, from September 2024 to May 2025, were enrolled. All affected eyes underwent best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), B-scan ultrasonography and/or CT examination. BCVA was measured using a standard logarithmic visual acuity chart, and the results were converted to logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity for statistical analysis. All patients received standard three-port, 23G or 25G PPV via the pars plana. The IOFB were removed using a magnetizable intraocular magnetic foreign body extractor through a corneal wound or limbal incision. The postoperative follow-up period ranged from 3 to 15 months. Preoperative and postoperative BCVA, changes in corneal astigmatism, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare logMAR BCVA and corneal astigmatism before surgery and at the last follow-up. ResultsAmong the 12 patients, 11 patients were male and 1 patient was female. The median age was 40.58 years. The IOFB were located in the vitreous cavity (6 eyes), on the retinal surface (5 eyes), and within the retina (1 eye). All IOFB were magnetic, with a maximum diameter of 5 mm. The IOFB were successfully removed in all affected eyes without the need for excessive intraoperative assistance. The preoperative logMAR BCVA was 1.65 (0.57, 2.30). At the last follow-up, logMAR BCVA and corneal astigmatism were 0.17±0.08 and 0.38 (0.13, 0.94) D, respectively. Compared with preoperative values, BCVA was significantly improved postoperatively (Z=?3.061, P=0.002). Correlation analysis showed no significant correlation between preoperative BCVA and either final BCVA or corneal astigmatism (r=0.183, 0.172; P=0.568, 0.590). No complications related to IOFB removal, such as retinal injury, retinal tear, or vitreous hemorrhage, occurred in any of the affected eyes. ConclusionPPV combined with a magnetizable intraocular magnetic foreign body extractor can safely and effectively remove posterior segment small-to-medium-sized magnetic foreign bodies, reduce complications, and improve postoperative visual acuity.
