Morphological changes 2 1/2 years after extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens. A prospective re-examination.
Morphological changes and lens position were examined in 51 eyes of 51 patients 25 to 37 (mean 31) months after extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens in the ciliary sulcus. Ocular morphology was compared to a previously published examination of the same eyes performed 4 months after surgery. The anterior chamber depth, lens position and the position of the posterior lens capsule had remained unchanged. 'Iris bulging', i.e. a gonioscopically visible slight impression of the iris overlying the lens haptics, had increased from 0 to 42%, iridal transillumination defects from 34 to 46%, and pigment dispersion in the chamber angle from 46 to 72%. Twenty-four percent of the eyes had developed significant, capsulotomy-requiring opacification of the posterior lens capsule. We draw the following conclusions: The posterior chamber lens and the posterior lens capsule have reached their permanent positions by the fourth post-operative month. Implantation of a posterior chamber lens in the ciliary sulcus constitutes a constant stimulus for structural changes of the iris with subsequent dispersion of pigment on neighbouring ocular structures.
Naeser
K
K
Department of Ophthalmology, Vejle, Denmark.
Nielsen
N E
NE
Hansen
T E
TE
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000503:physiopathology; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006068:Gonioscopy; D006801:Humans; D007498:Iris / Q000473:pathology; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000473:pathology