Clinical signs of the pseudoexfoliation syndrome

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS) is a common cause of glaucoma throughout the world. It is most commonly diagnosed after the observation of pseudoexfoliation material (PXM) on the anterior lens surface. However, there are numerous clinical signs of PXS that should alert the examiner to search carefully for PXM on the anterior lens surface. These include pupillary ruff defects, iris sphincter transillumination, a characteristic whorl-like pattern of particulate pigment deposition on the iris sphincter, particulate pigment deposition on the peripheral iris and trabecular meshwork, and exfoliation material on the zonules and ciliary body. Accuracy of diagnosis is important for purposes of treatment, prognosis, and basic research in he mechanisms of glaucoma, particularly tissue culture.