Pupilar block after cataract surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a case of pupillary block in a pseudophakic patient secondary to synechiae between the iris and the intraocular lens implanted in the capsular bag. Methods: 60‐year‐old woman presented severe diabetic retinopathy and cataract in her right eye. Phacoemulsification + hydrophobic monofocal intraocular lens in capsular bag was decided. The next day, we found a hemovitreous in right eye, observation was decided after performing ultrasound. As the condition did not resolve, a pars plana vitrectomy was performed. Seventeen days after the second surgery, the patient presented intense pain in her right eye, visual acuity of hand motion, IOP of 70 mm Hg, intense corneal edema, iris bombe, wide chamber and narrow in the periphery. Correct pseudophakia. Irregular pupil with mild non‐reactive miosis. Closed angle. Topical hypotensive drugs, oral acetazolamide, and IV mannitol were prescribed without response. Peripheral iridotomies were performed with good response. Mydriatics are added to force pupillary dilation. Results: The next day she presented an IOP 10. One month after the iridotomies she presented an IOP 12 and visual acuity of 0.6. Conclusions: Pseudophakic pupillary blocks rarely occur with current phacoemulsification techniques and capsular bag intraocular lens implantation. Complications inherent to surgery and patients (glaucoma, diabetes, children, previous early surgery) that predispose to a greater inflammatory context may be associated with the potential development of synechiae between the iris and the anterior intraocular lens / capsule, preventing the correct flow of the aqueous humour due to the pupillary block. In a study of the type of intraocular lens in a uveitic context, a greater association was found with hydrophobic intraocular lens than with other types. The ocation where the intraocular lens is implanted is also related, being greater in the intraocular lens in the anterior chamber or sulcus. Peripheral YAG laser iriditomies are a good therapeutic option but are not recommended intraoperatively because they can cause more complications than benefits.