Cell reaction and pigment deposits on the posterior chamber intraocular lens

Cellular reaction and pigment deposits on the intraocular lens were evaluated by biomicroscopy in 220 eyes which had undergone estracapsular cataract extraction and implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens 3 months previously. No cells or pigment were observed on the intraocular lens in 32% of the eyes, while small cells and/or pigment were found in 32% and giant cells with or without pigment and small cells were seen in 35%. In a sample of 28 eyes the clinical findings correlated with the findings in specular microphotographs. The corresponding percentages were 32, 36 and 32% in biomicroscopy and 14, 36 and 50% in specular microphotography. The giant cell reaction was notably (p < 0.001) associated with the presence of exfoliation. Previous ocular diseases and operations did not increase the frequency of cellular reaction.