MRI and metal dust in eyes

[Pixies74]

I'm probably making a mountain out of a molehill, but I'm having an MRI on my cervical spine next week and one of the questions on the pre-procedure form is whether you have ever had any metal dust or fragments go into your eyes.

Is this something that would be obvious to you? It's more than 20 years ago but at school we did metal work in technology - would I know if any dust had gone into my eye? Like from sawing or accidentally rubbing my eye with some on my hand?!

Would be grateful for any experience from anyone who has had an MRI before or works in that field...

er, wouldn't that be the case for most people?

Well, you'd think.. but why do they ask then?

I did metalwork at school and have had numerous MRIs.

Imagine a steelworker or welder.
They get 'flashes' which are tiny metal fragments.
They don't mean general dust from knife sharpening etc.

I've had an MRI. Think I'd only have answered yes to that question if I'd had to seek medical attention after an incident like having a metal fragment enter my eye from eg a welding accident, where high speed metal can get into the eye and cause big problems.

You should tell them when you the there.

You have no nerves in your eye ball so pain would alert you if you did have a tiny fragment of metal in your eye. If you did get metal in your eye its unlikely to happen from rubbing your eyes but rather failing to wear eye protection while around other peoples projects. If there is a concern they will organise extra testing.