Toxic anterior segment syndrome--more than sterility meets the eye

TOXIC ANTERIOR SEGMENT SYNDROME (TASS) is a rare, potentially devastating complication of routine intraocular surgery that occurs when a noninfectious toxic agent enters the anterior segment of the eye, causing an inflammatory reaction. SEVERE CASES OF TASS can cause permanent harm, and if symptoms still are present after six weeks, the eye is not likely to recover. EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT are effective in preventing permanent damage, but often TASS is mistakenly diagnosed as infectious endophthalmitis for which treatment is completely different. THE CAUSES AND TREATMENT of TASS are discussed, and risk reduction strategies are described.