Retained lens fragment presenting 32 years after cataract extraction
Thomas Tien1, Marcos A Crespo1, Tatyana Milman2
1Cornea Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
|May 2, 2022
Summary
Retained lens material can cause eye problems decades after cataract surgery. This case highlights the importance of considering retained lens fragments in patients with delayed corneal edema and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Ophthalmic Pathology
Background:
- Cataract extraction is a common surgical procedure.
- Complications from retained lens material are rare but can occur long after surgery.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male presented with decreased vision and photophobia 32 years post-cataract extraction.
- Examination revealed a mobile mass in the anterior chamber, corneal edema, and inflammation.
- Histopathology confirmed retained lens material causing a phacolytic response.
Findings:
- Retained lens material can present with significant ocular morbidity decades after cataract surgery.
- The patient's symptoms resolved after aspiration of the retained lens material.
- This case represents a rare, long-term presentation of retained lens material.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider retained lens material in patients with delayed corneal edema and intraocular inflammation, even with a remote cataract surgery history.
- Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent further ocular complications.
- This case underscores the importance of thorough evaluation in aphakic patients with inflammatory conditions.
