Korean J Ophthalmol.  2011 Feb;25(1):60-62. 10.3341/kjo.2011.25.1.60.

A Retained Lens Fragment Induced Anterior Uveitis and Corneal Edema 15 Years after Cataract Surgery

• Kang HM
• Park JW
• Chung EJ

• KMID: 994415
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2011.25.1.60

Abstract

A 60-year-old male was referred to the ophthalmologic clinic with aggravated anterior uveitis and corneal edema despite the use of topical and systemic steroids. He had undergone cataract surgery in both eyes 15 years previous. Slit lamp examinations revealed a retained lens fragment in the inferior angle of the anterior chamber, with severe corneal edema and mild anterior uveitis. The corneal edema and uveitis subsided following surgical extraction of the lens fragment. That a retained lens fragment caused symptomatic anterior uveitis with corneal edema 15 years after an uneventful cataract surgery is unique. A retained lens fragment should be considered as one of the causes of anterior uveitis in a pseudophakic patient.

Keyword

Anterior chamber; Cataract; Lens fragment; Recurrent anterior uveitis

MeSH Terms

Cataract Extraction/*adverse effects
Corneal Edema/*etiology/*pathology
Humans
Lens, Crystalline/*pathology/surgery
Male
Middle Aged
Postoperative Complications/pathology/surgery
Pseudophakia/pathology
Reoperation
Severity of Illness Index
Uveitis, Anterior/*etiology/*pathology

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Slit lamp examination shows the lens fragment in the inferior portion of the anterior chamber of the right eye.

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  Fig. 2 Slit lamp examination two months after removal of the lens fragment shows improved corneal edema.

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  Fig. 3 Specular pachymetry two months after removal of the lens fragment shows a significant decrease in endothelial cell count (458 cells/mm2) and loss of hexagonality in the right eye. (A) Right eye. (B) Left eye. R=right; C=photograph serial number; T=corneal thickness; N=no. of cells picked up; Min=minimum cell area; Max=maximum cell area; AVG=average cell area; SD=standard deviation; CV=coefficient of variation; CD=cell density; L=left.

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