Phacolytic Glaucoma

Author: Kayoung Yi, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD more...

Updated: Jul 6, 2011

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Background
Pathophysiology
Epidemiology
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Background

Phacolytic glaucoma (PG) is the sudden onset of open-angle glaucoma caused by a leaking mature or hypermature (rarely immature) cataract. It is cured by cataract extraction.^{[1, 2, 3]}

Pathophysiology

In contrast to some forms of lens-induced glaucomas (eg, lens particle glaucoma, phacoanaphylactic glaucoma), phacolytic glaucoma occurs in cataractous lenses with intact lens capsules. The available evidence implicates direct obstruction of outflow pathways by lens protein released from microscopic defects in the lens capsule that is intact clinically. The high molecular weight proteins found in cataractous lenses produce outflow obstruction in experimental perfusion studies similar to that found in phacolytic glaucoma.^{[4, 5]}Although a macrophagic response is typically present, macrophages are believed to be a natural response to lens protein in the anterior chamber rather than the cause of the outflow obstruction.

Frequency

United States

Phacolytic glaucoma is infrequent in developed countries, such as the United States, because of greater access to health care and earlier cataract surgery.

International

Phacolytic glaucoma occurs more frequently in underdeveloped countries.

Mortality/Morbidity

Most cases resolve after cataract extraction with excellent improvement in vision.

Race

No racial predilection exists.

Sex

No sexual predilection exists.

Age

Phacolytic glaucoma typically occurs in older adults. The youngest patient reported was age 35 years.

Proceed to Clinical Presentation

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Kayoung Yi, MD, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Korea

Kayoung Yi, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and Korean Board of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Teresa C Chen, MD, FACS Assistant Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Director of Clinical Affairs, Glaucoma Service, Consulting Staff, Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Teresa C Chen, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Medical Society, and Women in Ophthalmology, Inc

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.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

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.

References

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Richter C. Lens-induced open angle glaucoma: phacolytic glaucoma (lens protein glaucoma). In: Ritch R, Shields MB, Krupin T, eds. The Glaucomas. 2^nd ed. St Louis: Mosby; 1996:1023-1026.
Stamper R, Lieberman M, Drake M. Secondary open-angle glaucoma: phacolytic glaucoma. In: Becker-Shaffer's Diagnosis and Therapy of the Glaucomas. 7^th ed. St Louis, Mo: Mosby; 1999:324-326.
Kim IT, Jung BY, Shim JY. Cholesterol crystals in aqueous humor of the eye with phacolytic glaucoma. J Korean Ophthalmol Soc. Sept 2000;41(9):2003-7.
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Microscopy of the aspirate at the time of cataract extraction shows clumped, notched rectangular platelike crystals from the aqueous of a patient with phacolytic glaucoma (X160). Reproduced from J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2000 Sep;41(9): Copyright © 2000, Korean Ophthalmological Society. All rights reserved.

Microscopy of the aspirate at the time of cataract extraction of a patient with phacolytic glaucoma shows round, regular cells with foamy cytoplasm consistent with macrophages (*). A leukocyte (white arrow) and an erythrocyte (black arrow) also are seen (X160). Reproduced from J Korean Ophthalmol Soc 2000 Sep;41(9): Copyright © 2000, Korean Ophthalmological Society. All rights reserved.

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