Histopathology of clinically successful intraocular lens implant

A 50-year-old man had an intracapsular cataract extraction with placement of a Worst medallion iris-supported lens. After 6 days postoperatively the eye appeared quiet, the cornea was clear and the implant in place. The patient died 17 days postoperatively of subarachnoid haemorrhage. Histopathological examination revealed slight loss of endothelial cells in the upper corneal region, pressure atrophy without signs of repair of the iris stroma, loss of pigment epithelial cells of the iris in places as well as local pigment epithelial cell proliferations. The chamber angle was open and the anterior uvea revealed only a minimal inflammatory cell reaction. The unoperated opposite eye showed cortical cataract as well as advanced hypertensive retinopathy.