Aphakic macular oedema following prosthetic lens implantation.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Fluorescein angiography of the iris was performed on patients with plastic lens implants with cystoid edema of the macula and the nature of the vascular changes was compared with controls provided by patients who did not have macular disease. Densitometry was used to quantitate leakage of fluorescein dye into the anterior chamber in residual angiograms 5 min after injection. Cystoid edema was associated with marked increase in vascular permeability of the iris in the patients with implants and, to a lesser degree, in aphakics without implants. Although it cannot be concluded that implants themselves cause either the increase in permeability or the onset of macular edema, the presence of such implants must be considered an additional hazard in an eye which is already at risk. Iris angiography can be used as a diagnostic aid in patients in whom macular edema is suspected. A persistent increase in permeability associated with a reduction in visual acuity should act as a warning of further visual loss and eventual cyctoid macular degeneration.