Annular pigment band on the posterior capsule following blunt ocular trauma: a case report

Background

To report an unusual case of annular pigment band on the posterior capsule following blunt ocular trauma.

Case presentation

We describe an annular pigment band on the posterior capsule following blunt ocular trauma in a 28-year old male patient. Repeat examinations revealed no evidence of other signs of blunt ocular trauma or pigment dispersion syndrome in either eye.

Conclusion

The annular pigment band in this case corresponds to the adherence of the hyaloideocapsulare ligament to the posterior capsule and reconfirms its rare visualization in the living eye. This finding may be an isolated sign of blunt ocular trauma and a compromised integrity of the vitreolenticular interface should be strongly suspected. We recommend careful documentation in context of future cataract surgery in these eyes.

Late postoperative capsular block syndrome: entrapment of liquefied after-cataract by capsular bend

We report a case of capsular bend-related entrapment of liquefied after-cataract that resulted in late postoperative capsular block syndrome in a 56-year-old man. Slitlamp examination showed a capsular bend formation at the square edge of the optic. Superiorly, leakage in the capsular bend resulted in fluid extending into Soemmering's ring, although communication with the anterior chamber was limited by the capsular bend. Fluid was seen between the lens and posterior capsule.

YAG curios #1: repeat Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy

A descriptive case series of five patients identified either opportunistically or from a retrospective review of the laser register is presented. All underwent cataract surgery between 1995 and 1999 and required initial Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy 15-30 months after surgery. They subsequently developed reclosure of the capsulotomy, necessitating repeat laser capsulotomy 11-82 months later. One patient, who received a hydrogel intraocular lens, required a third capsulotomy after a further 12 months. The rate of repeat Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy in our unit was 0.31%.

YAG curios #2: Nd:YAG laser treatment following suction posterior capsulorhexis

Suction posterior capsulorhexis (SPC) is a relatively new technique for creating a posterior capsulorhexis. We present a case series of seven patients who required Nd:YAG laser treatment 27 months after SPC. No patient had pre-existing risk factors for increased postoperative inflammation and all received a one-piece polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens placed in-the-bag. Although it reduces the need for Nd:YAG laser treatment, SPC, like the more usual forceps posterior capsulorhexis, does not completely eliminate it.

Effect of Microkeratome Suction During LASIK on Ocular Structures

PURPOSE

To study the effect of microkeratome suction on ocular structures during LASIK.

DESIGN

Observational, prospective case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-one eyes of 11 patients with myopia or astigmatic myopia (8 females, 3 males) were included. The mean patient age was 36.3 years (median, 37 years; range, 24-48 years), and the mean spherical equivalent was -5.03 diopters (D) (median, -4.63 D; range, -2.38 to -8.38 D).

METHODS

We performed preoperative and intraoperative A-scan ultrasonography during application of suction using the Hansatome microkeratome (Bausch & Lomb Surgical, Munich, Germany) to create corneal flaps during LASIK. We also performed preoperative and postoperative B-scan ultrasonography of the posterior ocular segment with special attention to the presence and size of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We measured changes in the axial length, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and vitreous distance (distance from the posterior lens capsule to the posterior pole) during application of the microkeratome suction ring and recorded new occurrences of or increases in the size of the PVD after surgery.

RESULTS

The lens thickness decreased (mean change, -0.20 mm; P = 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.11 to -0.30) in 18 eyes during application of the suction ring. The vitreous distance increased (mean change, 0.20 mm; P = 0.004; 95% CI, 0.08-0.32) in 16 eyes. No statistically significant changes were found in the anterior chamber depth (P = 0.75) or axial length (P = 0.51). After surgery, 3 of 14 eyes (21.4%) experienced PVD that did not have echographic signs of PVD before surgery. Of 7 eyes with preoperative PVD, the PVD enlarged in 1 eye (14.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

During application of microkeratome suction, the lens thickness decreases, whereas the vitreous distance increases, suggesting anterior traction on the posterior segment. The relationship between the observed PVD and LASIK merits further investigation.

Capsular bag distension syndrome after combined cataract and glaucoma surgery

PURPOSE

To report four cases of capsular bag distension syndrome (CBDS) after combined cataract and glaucoma surgery.

METHODS

We describe the clinical features and evolution of each case after individual treatment.

CASE REPORTS

We report four cases of CBDS after phacoemulsification, combined with trabeculectomy in two cases and with an Ahmed aqueous drainage device implantation in the other two cases. The space between the intraocular lens (IOL) and the posterior capsule was occupied by an optically clear liquid in two cases and by a turbid liquid in the other two cases, with posterior bowing of the capsule into the anterior vitreous. A myopic shift and anterior chamber shallowing occurred in three cases. After posterior Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy, the CBDS resolved in three cases. In case 1, a surgical posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy were necessary.

DISCUSSION

Capsular bag distension syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis of a shallow anterior chamber after combined cataract and glaucoma surgery.

Évaluation d’un syndrome de blocage capsulaire tardif avec l’OCT de segment antérieur

A year after routine phacoemulsification and insertion of a soft posterior chamber IOL, a 59-year-old woman developed progressive moderate myopia. A syndrome of late capsular block was diagnosed following biomicroscopic examination, which was treated by Nd YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. The myopia disappeared immediately. This observation was illustrated with optical coherence tomography (OCT) developed for the anterior segment. After capsulotomy, the IOL moved backwards by 448 microm, which corresponds exactly to a--1D induced myopia.

Airbag-induced bilateral corneal graft dehiscence

PURPOSE

To report a case of bilateral corneal graft dehiscence caused by blunt trauma.

METHODS

Case report of bilateral simultaneous corneal graft dehiscence with expulsion of the lens and iris as a result of airbag-induced trauma.

RESULTS

Both corneal buttons were resutured, the prolapsed iris tissue was repositioned in the right eye, and anterior vitrectomy was performed bilaterally. Topical and systemic antibiotics, topical steroids, cycloplegic agents, and antiglaucoma drugs were initiated. Repeated B-scan ultrasound examinations demonstrated an attached retina in both eyes. Three weeks after admission, the right eye was reoperated for removal of remnant lens material and additional anterior vitrectomy. The patient was fitted with polycarbonate spectacles with an optical correction of +8 in both eyes. Visual acuity improved to 20/200 and 0.5/60 in the right and left eyes, respectively. The right corneal graft regained transparency, but the left one remained hazy.

CONCLUSION

Airbag deployment during motor vehicle collisions is a significant cause of ocular morbidity. The reported risk of airbag-related eye injury is 2.5% for any eye injury and 0.4% for severe eye injury. Patients undergoing corneal surgery should be counseled about the weakness of the donor-recipient interface and should consider wearing protective glasses.

Assessment of capsular block syndrome with anterior segment optical coherence tomography

A 59-year-old woman developed progressive, moderate myopia 1 year after routine phacoemulsification and insertion of a soft posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL). After biomicroscopy, late capsular block was diagnosed and treated with a neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. The myopia disappeared immediately. This case was illustrated using optical coherence tomography developed for the anterior segment. After capsulotomy, the IOL moved backward by 448 microm, corresponding to -0.75 diopter of induced myopia.

Accommodation after Nd: YAG capsulotomy in patients with accommodative posterior chamber lens 1CU

PURPOSE

After initial encouraging results with the accommodative 1CU posterior chamber lens (PCIOL), we investigated the rate, the postoperative time point of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) necessitating YAG capsulotomy and the accommodative range after Nd: YAG capsulotomy in patients with 1CU-PCIOL.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This prospective clinical study included 65 patients who underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of the accommodative 1CU-PCIOL with postoperative follow-up from 3 to 24 months. Postoperative examination was performed 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery, then before and 6 weeks after Nd: YAG capsulotomy. Measurements included: the best corrected distance visual acuity, distance refraction, near visual acuity (Birkhauser charts in 35 cm) obtained with best distance correction, accommodative range measured by subjective near point with an accodommometer and defocusing with a visual acuity fall to 0.4.

RESULTS

Both best corrected distance visual acuity (1.1+/-0.1) and near visual acuity with best distance correction (0.4+/-0.1) remained stable over the follow-up period until 12 months postoperatively. The accommodative range determined by near point was stable (mean 2.0+/-0.5 D). Also, the defocusing range remained stable over 12 months (1.8+/-0.4 D). A clinically relevant posterior capsule opacification with a significant decrease of visual acuity (0.4+/-0.2) and a need for Nd: YAG capsulotomy was diagnosed in 12 patients between 15 and 22 (mean 20+/-4, median 20) months postoperatively. All capsulotomies were performed without complication. Six weeks after capsulotomy, best corrected distance visual acuity was improved (1.1+/-0.1), near visual acuity with best distance correction was 0.4+/-0.1 and the accommodative range determined by near point was 1.95+/-0.6 D and by defocusing was 1.88+/-0.47 D. Six weeks after capsulotomy, measurements of the accommodative range did not show any statistical difference to the 12-month results before the occurrence of PCO (P>0.5).

CONCLUSIONS

A clinically relevant PCO with a significant decrease of visual acuity necessitating Nd: YAG capsulotomy occurred mainly after 15 postoperative months in patients with 1CU. Our results indicate that Nd: YAG capsulotomy may not affect the accommodation ability of the 1CU. Nevertheless, long-term studies are needed to further analyze the accommodative properties.

Management of lens-iris diaphragm retropulsion syndrome during phacoemulsification

Lens-iris diaphragm retropulsion syndrome (LIDRS) occurs more often than recognized during small-incision phacoemulsification. This syndrome requires an infusion of fluid into the anterior chamber and is characterized by posterior displacement of the lens-iris diaphragm, marked deepening of the anterior chamber, posterior iris bowing, pupil dilation, and often significant patient discomfort. Using microendoscopy, we have observed that LIDRS is essentially a reverse pupillary block. We describe a surgical technique to mechanically break the iridocapsular block to restore normal chamber depth, relieve patient discomfort, and allow the surgeon to proceed safely with phacoemulsification.

Corneal perforation after conductive keratoplasty with previous refractive surgery

A 56-year-old woman had conductive keratoplasty (CK) for residual hyperopia and astigmatism. Three years before the procedure, the patient had arcuate keratotomy, followed by laser in situ keratomileusis 2 years later for high astigmatism correction in both eyes. During CK, a corneal perforation occurred in the right eye; during the postoperative examination, an iris perforation and anterior subcapsule opacification were seen beneath the perforation site. The perforation was managed with a bandage contact lens and an antibiotic-steroid ointment; it had a negative Seidel sign by the third day. The surgery in the left eye was uneventful. Three months after the procedure, the uncorrected visual acuity was 20/32 and the best corrected visual acuity 20/20 in both eyes with a significant improvement in corneal topography. Care must be taken to prevent CK-treated spots from coinciding with areas in the corneal stroma that might have been altered by previous refractive procedures.

Dense Pigmentation of the Posterior Lens Capsule Associated with the Pigment Dispersion Syndrome

PURPOSE

To report an unusual case of pigment dispersion syndrome associated with unilateral dense pigmentation of the posterior lens capsule.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

A 59-year-old male with bilateral pigment dispersion syndrome presented with progressive decrease in visual acuity in the left eye over the past 10 to 20 years. Clinical examination revealed the typical findings of pigment dispersion syndrome including the presence of bilateral Krunkenberg spindles, iris transillumination defects, and heavy trabecular meshwork pigmentation. Of note, there was remarkably dense pigmentation of the posterior lens capsule in the eye with decreased visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

Pigmentation of the posterior lens capsule may be a rare finding associated with pigment dispersion syndrome. Such a finding suggests that there may be aqueous flow into the retrolental space in some patients with this condition. The optimal treatment of this unusual condition remains undetermined.

[Anterior lenticonus: diagnostic aid in Alport syndrome]

Anterior lenticonus is a rare condition in which the lens presents a conical protrusion of its anterior cortex. Sometimes isolated, it may be an ocular manifestation of Alport syndrome, a hereditary nephritis accompanied by deafness and other ocular signs such as flecked retinopathy or posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy. All these manifestations are a result of a genetic defect in type IV collagen, a major component of basal membranes in the human body. The clinical aspects and therapy of anterior lenticonus and Alport syndrome are described, as well as the exploration that must begin when anterior lenticonus is discovered. This exploration is essential so that this diagnosis can be made as soon as possible.

Phacoanaphylaxis in Behçet's disease

PURPOSE

To describe the occurrence of phacoanaphylaxis in enucleated eyes of patients with Behçet's disease.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational, case series and human tissue study.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-six patients with Behçet's disease who underwent enucleation.

METHODS

Histopathologic analysis was performed on 28 enucleated eyes of 26 patients with Behçet's disease. The eyes were divided into two groups, based on the absence or presence of tractional retinal detachment associated with cyclitic membrane formation. Selected eyes with tractional retinal detachment were stained for immunohistochemical examination.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Histopathologic examination of enucleated eyes, including routine histopathologic and immunohistochemical studies.

RESULTS

None of the five eyes without retinal detachment showed phacoanaphylaxis. Nine of the 23 eyes with detachment exhibited phacoanaphylaxis, 10 showed no inflammation of the lens, and four were aphakic. There was marked inflammatory cell infiltration in the cyclitic membrane of all nine eyes with phacoanaphylaxis. Immunohistochemical examination demonstrated positive staining for the macrophage markers in the epithelioid and giant cells. The average interval between onset of the ocular manifestations of Behçet's disease and enucleation was 63 months for eyes with phacoanaphylaxis and 35 months for eyes without phacoanaphylaxis (P<0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

In Behçet's disease, eyes with long-standing intraocular inflammation complicated by cyclitic membrane formation may develop phacoanaphylaxis. Such patients may benefit from surgical removal of the cyclitic membrane along with the lens in eyes with significant visual function.

Single-piece acrylic intraocular lens implantation in children

PURPOSE

To assess the short-term outcomes of single-piece acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in children by determining the incidence of postoperative visual axis opacification and the need for a second procedure to clear the axis, cell deposits on the IOL optic, posterior synechias, and IOL decentration.

SETTING

Miles Center for Pediatric Ophthalmology, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

METHODS

This retrospective case review comprised 43 consecutive implantations (33 patients) of a single-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL (AcrySof SA30AL or SA60AT, Alcon). An analysis of 42 eyes with posterior capsulectomy and vitrectomy was performed. Eyes with traumatic cataract and secondary IOLs were excluded.

RESULTS

Single-piece acrylic IOLs were implanted in 42 eyes. The mean age was 33.5 months +/- 28.9 (SD) (range 0.5 to 110 months) and the mean follow-up, 12.0 +/- 8.2 months (range 1.0 to 27.5 months). Postoperative opacification of the visual axis occurred in 7 eyes (16.7%). Secondary surgical procedures were required in 5 eyes (11.9%). Lens deposits were observed in 8 eyes (19.0%) and synechias, in 5 eyes (11.9%). All IOLs were well centered postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

The short-term data suggest implantation of the AcrySof single-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL is safe in the pediatric eye.

Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in an Alport's syndrome patient with bilateral anterior and posterior lenticonus

We report a case of intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification in a 30-year-old man manifesting anterior and posterior lenticonus. The surgery was uneventful and on follow-up, the IOL was well centered in the bag.

Capsular block syndrome in a case with excessive cortical remnants

Ten days after cataract extraction with phacoemulsification and in-the-bag acrylic intraocular lens implantation, capsular block syndrome developed in the right eye of a 62-year-old man. Aspiration of the swollen cortical remnants resulted in resolution of the capsular block.