Corneoscleral block excision of postoperative anterior chamber cysts

To describe the clinical presentation, surgical treatment and histopathology of three cases of cystic epithelial ingrowth occurring after cataract surgery.

Three patients developed anterior chamber cysts, two with an associated conjunctival bleb and fistula, following extracapsular cataract and phacoemulsification surgery. The technique of block excision and corneoscleral graft was used in the three patients.

There was no evidence of recurrence twenty-six, twenty-three and seven months postoperatively. Visual acuities were 20/30, 20/20-2 and 20/25-2, with mild astigmatism and well controlled intraocular pressure. Histopathology illustrated that conjunctival and corneal epithelium invaded the anterior chamber through a wound defect.

At this time, block excision with a corneoscleral graft may be the most definitive surgical treatment of cystic epithelial ingrowth.