Vitreous opacities in phacolytic glaucoma.
OBJECTIVE
To report five cases of vitreous opacification in phacolytic glaucoma (PG).


METHODS
The records of patients with PG were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 135 eyes with PG were studied to determine the presence of vitreous opacification.


RESULTS
Five eyes with PG demonstrated opacification of the vitreous, which was first noted at surgery and confirmed postoperatively. All patients had had symptoms of PG for 7 days or more (mean +/- SD, 10.6 +/- 2.4 days) before they sought medical attention. Three eyes had a hypopyon on preoperative examination; two of these eyes showed refractile crystals in the anterior chamber. The opacities resolved spontaneously in all five eyes over a period of 12 weeks and interfered with visual activity only in the immediate postoperative period.


CONCLUSIONS
Vitreous opacification in PG is a self-limited process that may not require surgical intervention unless more rapid visual rehabilitation is desired. The vitreous opacification probably results from an exaggeration of the process causing the anterior chamber reaction.
Schell Eye Hospital, Christian Medical College, Vellore, India.
R
R
Thomas
A
A
Braganza
T
T
George
A
A
Mermoud
D000368:Aged; D002386:Cataract / Q000150:complications*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology