Introduction: Intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) represent an important cause of visual impairment, especially within the group of working age population.

Case report: A 38-year-old male presented with severe left eye pain, accompanied by left headache, visual loss, redness, photophobia, tearing and nausea, 30 months following a minor left eye trauma when hammering metal on metal. Eye ultrasound identified a small intraocular foreign body as well as the crystalline lens luxated into the vitreous cavity. Pars plana vitrectomy was carried out with the extraction of the foreign body and of the lens. Pain was relieved, but vision was not regained.

Conclusion: The poor outcome of this case follows from a combination of unusual factors: ophthalmologists’ failure to identify an occult IOFB and the lack of patient’s concern about his eye condition, until the moment when he experienced excessive pain and vision was already lost.

Keywords: Intraocular foreign body, Pars plana vitrectomy, Siderosis bulbi