Corneal Edema as a Complication of a Loose Retinal Tack

To the Editor. —Retinal tacks represent a new technique of retinal fixation that is useful in complicated retinal detachments such as large tears and retinotomies. 1-4 Tacks are made of plastic, nonmagnetic metallic alloy, or titanium. Little is known about side effects of tacks retained in human eyes. 5 Intraoperative complications of tack insertion include retinal tears, choroidal and retinal hemorrhages at the site of penetration, and slippage of the tack. 3 Tacks may dislodge up to nine months after insertion: three of 53 tacks became loose in one series. 4 Postoperative complications from the intrusion of retinal tacks have included atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium; retinal phlebitis; vitreous hemorrhage; focal corneal, iris, and retinal injuries; and mild corneal edema. 5 We report a case of a free-floating tack complicated by severe corneal edema. The edema resolved after removal of the loose tack. Report of a Case. —A 45-year-old