A total of 40 cases of retained intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) presenting to the University Eye Clinic of Novi Sad between January 1988 and December 1994 were evaluated and surgically treated. The group most affected were males with a mean age of 33 years, who had been occupationally injured, presenting with either corneal or scleral single laceration. Thirty-seven injuries (92%) were due to metallic foreign bodies. Two eyes presented with initial clinical signs of endophthalmitis (5%). Five eyes (12.5%) were war-injuries, with tremendous destruction of all ocular structures. After an average of 12 months follow-up 70% of total eyes achieved postoperative good or useful vision, 50% of these with visual acuity 0.5 or better.