Peripheral corneal oedema following cataract extraction (Brown-McLean syndrome)

We describe the clinical features of 21 eyes of 15 patients who developed peripheral bullous corneal oedema following cataract extraction. The peripheral oedema was asymptomatic in all cases and was only noted at a review examination. Although the onset of the peripheral oedema was probably delayed for several years after surgery, it was not documented to progress in any patient or to involve the central cornea. Endothelial specular microscopy did not reveal any endothelial features that are specific for this condition, but confirmed that the central endothelial cell density can be as high as 2150 cells/mm2 in the presence of peripheral corneal decompensation. Despite the surface irregularity resulting from the peripheral corneal oedema 12 patients (18 eyes) continued to wear contact lenses to correct their aphakia.