[Sudden macular edema 2 years after cataract surgery due to retained nuclear fragment]

A 78-year-old man presented with a 2-week history of decreased vision in the right eye (RE). Ocular history included uncomplicated cataract surgery in the RE 2 years earlier. Gonioscopy revealed a retained small nuclear fragment (sNF) in the anterior chamber (AC) and OCT showed macular edema (ME). The NF was fragmented with a YAG laser.

AC retained NF resulted in ME and reduced visual acuity. We recommend gonioscopy in cases of reduced visual acuity and history of phacoemulsification. ME and reduced vision may be reversed by removing the NF with YAG laser.