Long anterior zonules and pigment dispersion.
OBJECTIVE
To describe pigment dispersion associated with long anterior zonules.


METHODS
Multicenter observational case series.


METHODS
Fifteen patients, seven of whom were treated for glaucoma or ocular hypertension, were identified with long anterior zonules and pigment dispersion. Transmission electron microscopy was performed on one anterior capsule specimen.


RESULTS
All patients had anterior zonules that inserted centrally on the lens capsule. Signs of pigment dispersion included corneal endothelial pigmentation, loss of the pupillary ruff, and variable trabecular meshwork pigmentation. Ultrasound biomicroscopy verified the lack of posterior iris insertion and concavity. There was no exfoliation material. Transmission electron microscopy showed zonular lamellae with adherent pigment granules, and no exfoliation material.


CONCLUSIONS
Long anterior zonules inserted onto the central lens capsule may cause mechanical disruption of the pigment epithelium at the pupillary ruff and central iris leading to pigment dispersion.
Moroi
Sayoko E
SE
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA. smoroi@umich.edu
Lark
Kurt K
KK
Sieving
Paul A
PA
Nouri-Mahdavi
Kouros
K
Schlötzer-Schrehardt
Ursula
U
Katz
Gregory J
GJ
Ritch
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017889:Exfoliation Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005124:Eye Abnormalities / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008022:Ligaments / Q000002:abnormalities*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009798:Ocular Hypertension / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy