Intraocular hemorrhage from vascularization of the cataract incision

In a survey of 58 aphakic eyes examined 5 to 10 years after surgery, 12% had episcleral vessels in the inner aspect of the cataract incision and almost half of these eyes showed evidence of mild intraocular hemorrhage. Analysis of these and 33 other eyes indicates that argon laser treatment is only temporarily effective in preventing intraocular hemorrhage. Limbal cryotherapy is effective in a one- to four-year follow-up. While these vessels are a common cause of transient intraocular hemorrhage in aphakic eyes, serious sequelae are rare and treatment is usually unnecessary.