Mehmet YORGUN, Mehmet Şirin BÜYÜKKAYA, Yusuf EVCİMEN, Osman TAŞ
Journal of Emergency Medicine Case Reports - 2026;17(1):27-29
Pediatric ocular trauma represents a significant cause of preventable blindness worldwide and constitutes an important proportion of emergency department visits. Among these injuries, corneal perforation accompanied by iris prolapse is particularly vision-threatening, as it can rapidly lead to infection, anterior chamber instability, and permanent visual impairment if not promptly managed. The aim of this report is to highlight the clinical importance of iris prolapse in children and emphasize the critical role of early recognition and rapid surgical intervention. An 8-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with acute pain, redness, and decreased vision in the left eye following blunt ocular trauma caused by a stone. Ophthalmic examination revealed a full-thickness corneal perforation at the 3 o'clock limbal position, complicated by iris prolapse and fibrin reaction in the anterior chamber. The patient underwent urgent surgical intervention under general anesthesia. Using viscoelastic-assisted techniques, the prolapsed iris was gently repositioned into the anterior chamber, followed by meticulous corneal suturing and conjunctival closure. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with restoration of anterior chamber depth, stable wound healing, and preservation of viable iris tissue. This case highlights the rarity and clinical significance of iris prolapse in pediatric ocular trauma. Rapid diagnosis, emergency referral, and modern tissue-preserving surgical techniques such as viscoelastic-assisted iris repositioning can successfully restore globe integrity and minimize long-term sequelae. Effective collaboration between emergency physicians and ophthalmologists is essential to prevent irreversible visual loss in this vulnerable population.
