Morphological changes 2 1/2 years after extracapsular cataract extraction with implantation of a posterior chamber lens

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
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 postoperative 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.