Posters

Liquefied aftercataract mimicking intraocular lens opacification

Poster Details

First Author: B. Giers GERMANY

Co Author(s):    R. Khoramnia   M. Holzer   G. Auffarth              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To present a case of liquefied aftercataract mimicking IOL-opacification and enhance awareness for the differential diagnosis of these rare postsurgical complications.

Setting:

International Vision Correction Research Centre (IVCRC), Department of Ophthalmology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

Methods:

An 84-year-old male caucasian patient underwent bilateral cataract surgery and posterior chamber IOL-implantation in 2003 and 2004. Now, he reported clouded vision and decreasing VA especially for near vision in the right eye. The reffering ophthalmologist suspected an opacification of the IOL and referred the patient to our clinic. CDVA in the right eye was (-0.25 -1.0x30°) = 20/40. With his own reading glasses (+2.5 add.) CNVA was 20/125. In the slitlamp examination of the right eye, the optic of the IOL appeared opacified. However, examination was difficult due to poorly dilating pupils.

Results:

The patient was scheduled for lens explantation. Intraoperatively, the opacification turned out to be due to liquefied aftercataract localized between IOL and posterior capsule. The milky white liquid could be mobilized and aspirated. Nd:YAG-capsulotomy was performed in further course to avoid the reformation of liquefied aftercataract. The patient recovered to good bilateral vision with uneventful follow-up.

Conclusions:

Liquefied aftercataract may be mistaken for IOL-opacification, especially in patients with poorly dilating pupils where routine examination and apparative measurements fail to discriminate between the two pathologies.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE