Lens capsular cyst

A 33-year-old man had a unique lens capsular cyst that became clinically evident eight years after a penetrating ocular injury in which the lens capsule was disrupted. Microscopic examination indicated that the cyst may have arisen from displaced lens capsule and epithelial cells that became separated from the lens.

The environment and the lens

The association of various personal, occupational, and environmental factors with cataracts and pseudoexfoliation of the lens (PXF) was examined in a group of Australian Aborigines. Cataracts occurred more commonly in the elderly but were also associated with high levels of ultraviolet radiation and sunlight and were more commonly seen in lower latitudes. PXF was also seen more commonly in the elderly, especially among males. PXF occurred particularly commonly in stockmen and was related to latitude and global radiation. It was positively associated with the occurrence of cataract and with climatic droplet keratopathy. It is suggested that senile cataracts are related to the amount of ultraviolet radiation and PXF to global radiation.

Pseudoexfoliation, an environmental disease?

Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) has been considered to be a genetically-determined degeneration. The geographical variation seen in the distribution of PXF has been thought to support this. Australia Aborigines have been found to have a high prevalence of PXF, which occurs in over 16% of those over the age of 60 years. A series of 350 Aborigines was examined in detail to study the possible association of a number of personal and environmental factors with the presence of PXF. The condition occurred more commonly in older age groups, and it was three times more common in males than in females. A strong occupational association was also found; men who had worked as stockmen had a significantly higher rate of PXF than other groups. PXF occurred more commonly at lower latitudes and was seen more frequently with higher levels of global radiation. It is postulated that PXF may, in fact, be an environmental disorder caused by solar radiation. Possible pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed.

The ocular manifestations in Fabry's disease

We present the ocular manifestations in a series of 37 hemizygous male and 25 heterozygous female patients with Fabry's disease. The ocular findings typically do not impair vision, but are unique and diagnostic. Whorl-like corneal deposits were seen in almost all patients and were more severe in the heterozygotes. The lens showed cream-colored anterior capsular deposits, sometimes in striking "propeller" distribution, in one third of the hemizygotes, and in none of the heterozygotes. A faint but unique posterior capsular opacity with a branching radial pattern was seen in 37% of the hemizygotes and 14% of the heterozygotes. Conjunctival vessel aneurysmal dilations and retinal vessel tortuosity were both more frequent and severe in the hemizygotes. Severe visual loss occurred in two hemizygotes as a result of unilateral total central artery occlusions.

[Echographic differential diagnosis of leukokorie in childhood]

After the description of the most important differential diagnoses of leukocoria in childhood, their ultrasonographical findings in both A- and B-mode are discussed. Ultrasound proofs to be a useful aid in the evaluation of leukocoria.

Punctate lenticular opacities in type II mannosidosis

Ocular examination in four siblings with Type II mannosidosis revealed scattered punctate opacities in the entire lens. No such lenticular opacities were described in 28 previously reported patients, 17 presumed Type II and 11 Type I. Complete ocular examination with particular attention to opacities in the lens and cornea may provide additional phenotypic data for identification of genetic variants with amnnosidosis.

Phacoemulsification

Ten years have passed since the phacoemulsification procedure was introduced to ophthalmology. Enough experience has now been gained to evaluate its effectiveness. This report sets forth a list of case-selection criteria designed to avoid the most common complications associated with the operation. Average visual acuity results have been tabulated for the purpose of assisting those who are deciding whether or not ot adopt the procedure.