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A particle of iron embedded in the cornea often produces a deposit of rust which tattoos the trabeculae of the cornea and Bowman's membrane and is usually difficult to remove. Attempts to remove it by curetting with corneal curets or spuds inevitably result in disturbing the surrounding intact epithelium and Bowman's membrane, thus enlarging the original lesion.
It is simple to curet the rust from the bed of a metallic foreign body by using a carbon drill, gage 70 or 60. This drill can be obtained in a hardware store for 10 cents. A few drilling movements with the tool held between the thumb and the index finger, without pressure against the anesthetized cornea, will result in a clean and smooth removal of the rust.