Four years after phacoemulsification and implantation of intraocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag, this patient developed anterior-capsular phimosis and small focal shiny areas within IOL [IOL glistening, Fig. 1]. The anterior segment optical coherence tomography [ASOCT, Fig. 2] showed a distended posterior capsule (PC) and focal areas of hyperreflectivity within the IOL.
Figure 1.
Slit lamp photo shows intraocular lens glistening as multiple small shiny areas within the substance of intraocular lens
Figure 2.
The optical coherence tomography delineated intraocular lens glistening as areas of hyperreflectivity within the intraocular lens optic and showed a distended posterior capsule with hyperreflective materials in the space between the intraocular lens and the posterior capsule
IOL glistening is a condition of late opacification of IOLs (usually hydrophobic acrylic).[1] ASOCT can document capsular distension and abnormalities of PC.[2,3] Usually, IOL glistening does not reduce the visual acuity. However, rarely severe IOL glistening/opacification may reduce best corrected visual acuity or cause glare or reduced contrast sensitivity and require IOL exchange.[1,4]
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
References
- 1.Mamalis N. Intraocular lens glistenings. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012;38:1119–20. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2012.05.023. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Tripathy K. Posterior capsular cyst on anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Ophthalmology. 2018;125:1324. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2018.06.033. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 3.Tripathy K, Sharma V. Thin posterior capsule in persistent fetal vasculature causing an appearance of spontaneous posterior capsular rupture. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2018;66:1616–7. doi: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_590_18. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 4.Werner L. Glistenings and surface light scattering in intraocular lenses. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2010;36:1398–420. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2010.06.003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]