Surgical management of acquired implantation iris cysts: indications, surgical challenges and outcomes

To describe the clinical spectrum, clinicopathological correlation and outcomes of different surgical strategies in the management of acquired implantation iris cysts.

From 1 January 1989 to 31 December 2015, 27 patients (27 eyes) with acquired implantation iris cysts underwent surgery. The charts were reviewed for demographics, preoperative characteristics, surgical approach, histopathological records of excised cyst and postoperative outcomes.

The median age at presentation was 5 years (IQR: 1.3-14 years). Out of 27 patients, 21 (78%) were aged≤18 years. Almost two-third (17/27, 63%) patients had history of penetrating ocular trauma prior to surgery. All patients underwent cyst aspiration combined with complete cyst excision with additional surgical procedures when necessary. Along with complete cyst excision, sector iridectomy was performed in 20/27 (74%) eyes. At a median postoperative follow-up period of 8 months (range: 1-72 months), recurrence was noted in 3/27 (11%) cases at a mean follow-up period of 2.3±1.5 months postsurgery. Eyes in which sector iridectomy was performed had lower incidence of recurrence, and this was statistically significant (p=0.03). However, the improvement in best-corrected visual acuity postoperatively was not statistically significant (p=0.15).

Acquired implantation iris cysts are associated with significant ocular morbidity. Complete excision of the cyst with sector iridectomy is an effective treatment option if other less invasive surgical approaches fail. Visual acuity can be significantly improved but is typically limited due to associated comorbidities.