Hybrid 20/23-gauge vitrectomy in a patient with retained intraocular air-gun pellet

Eye injuries caused by air-gun pellets are some of the most severe ocular injuries and can lead to loss of vision. We present the case of a 16-year-old boy with a retained intraocular air-gun pellet who underwent hybrid 20/23-gauge phacovitrectomy with foreign body removal and silicone oil tamponade. The patient’s visual acuity before surgery was perception of light. Computer tomography scans detected the intraocular localization of a metal foreign body. Once removed, the air-gun pellet was revealed to be 7 mm long. Traumatic cataract, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment were present. During the 3‑month follow-up period there were no signs of inflammation. Best-corrected visual acuity reached 20/200.