Accelerated ocular neovascularisation in diabetics following posterior chamber lens implantation

Two well controlled non-insulin dependent diabetics with background retinopathy underwent endocapsular lens extraction with in-the-bag posterior chamber implantation. In the postoperative period rubeosis iridis set in abruptly. The fellow eyes showed no progression of retinopathy and the diabetic status showed no deterioration. The cause of neovascularisation and the role of intra- versus extracapsular extraction with implantation are discussed.