Lens-Particle Glaucoma Workup

  • Author: Brian R Sullivan, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: Apr 16, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

  • Consider ruling out endophthalmitis via anterior chamber tap and vitreous tap with smears for Gram and Giemsa stains and cultures with antimicrobial sensitivities.
  • Culture media should include blood agar, Sabouraud media, chocolate agar, and thioglycolate broth.
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Imaging Studies

  • In cases of ocular trauma, 20-MHz ultrasound probe[17] has been reported to help facilitate the visualization of the posterior capsule's integrity. The effective use of 50-MHz ultrasound biomicroscopy has been described in the assessment of occult zonular defects in traumatic cataracts.[18]
  • B-scan ultrasonography may be useful in localizing and measuring posteriorly displaced lens debris, particularly large nucleus fragments.
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Procedures

  • Anterior chamber tap and vitreous tap if endophthalmitis is suspected
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Histologic Findings

If anterior chamber paracentesis is performed, histology may demonstrate foamy macrophages[9] and lens particles.

Often, a coexisting phacoantigenic uveitis exists, and the lens histology may include the classic finding of zones of granulomatous and nongranulomatous inflammation that surround degenerating lens material.

Anterior chamber angle histologic examination of enucleated eyes may confirm the presence of macrophages in the trabecular meshwork, perhaps contributing to decreased outflow facility.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Brian R Sullivan, MD  Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

Brian R Sullivan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Richard W Allinson, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center; Senior Staff Ophthalmologist, Scott and White Clinic

Richard W Allinson, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Martin B Wax, MD  Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; Vice President, Ophthalmology Research and Development, Head, Ophthalmology Discovery Research, Alcon Labs, Inc

Martin B Wax, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Society for Neuroscience

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Supported in part by an unrestricted research grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc, New York, New York.

At the time of writing and subsequently updating this article, the author had no financial interests in any of the products discussed herein, nor in any of the companies that manufacture or distribute them.

References
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Lens nucleus dislocated into the inferior vitreous during cataract surgery. Reprinted from Survey of Ophthalmology, Vol 43. Monshizadeh R, Nasrollah S, Haimovici R: Management of retained intravitreal lens fragments after cataract surgery. 397-403. Copyright 1999, with permission from Elsevier Science.
Ruptured lens capsule with elevated intraocular pressure following trauma. Courtesy of KS Kooner, MD.
 
 
 
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