Man unknowingly lives with wooden splinter in his eye for 15 years

The wooden splinter was lodged in the man's eye for more than 15 years. (Representational)

A man in US was unknowingly living with a 3mm wooden splinter lodged in his eye for more than 15 years that was discovered by an ophthalmologist conducting a routine check-up. The unidentified man in his 30s, believed to be from Boston, was examined due to his diabetic condition.

The anomaly has sparked discussions among doctors from institutions, including Harvard Medical School and Wayne State University in Detroit. The incident, deemed "remarkable" by medical professionals, sheds light on the latent dangers of untreated eye injuries.

Initially, doctors found no apparent issues with the patient's eyes, a routine examination turning into an extraordinary revelation. Photos shared by doctors from Harvard Medical School and Wayne State University revealed the presence of a foreign body, a 3 mm wooden splinter, embedded in the man's cornea – the outermost layer of the eye.

The man, recalling an incident from 15 years ago, revealed that he had suffered a penetrating injury while gardening. Despite experiencing immediate pain and discomfort, he chose to forgo medical attention as the symptoms gradually disappeared.

Describing the case as "remarkable," the team of doctors emphasized that such foreign bodies are typically detected and addressed promptly after injury due to significant pain, redness, and tearing. However, in this instance, the splinter remained asymptomatic, eluding detection for an extended period.

The medical team did not disclose whether they removed the wooden splinter, which had not perforated the patient's cornea, a situation that could lead to blindness. Advising the man to resume his normal activities, doctors urged him to return if he experienced any pain or vision problems.