RETROCORNEAL PIGMENT DISPERSION IN ANTERIOR-CHAMBER PSEUDOPHAKIC EYES AND CHRONIC ENDOTHELIAL-CELL LOSS

The causes of late postoperative corneal endothelial decompensation in pseudophakic anterior chamber eyes with well placed intraocular lenses are not clear. The authors measured the degree of retrocorneal pigment dispersion and endothelial cell loss during six months, in a series of 27 anterior chamber pseudophakic eyes, operated more than one year ago, using a Konan wide-field specular microscope. A significant correlation was found between retrocorneal pigment dispersion and endothelial cell loss. A possible mechanism of this correlation is discussed: the retrocorneal pigment dispersion could be associated with rupture of the blood aqueous barrier. This rupture might be responsible for chronic low grade endothelitis. In current practice, retrocorneal pigment dispersion in anterior chamber pseudophakic eyes is an indication for half-yearly follow-up with specular microscopy, wich may lead to an explantation of the anterior chamber lens.