Pathologic evidence of pseudoexfoliation in cases of in-the-bag intraocular lens subluxation or dislocation

PURPOSE: To provide complete histopathologic evaluation of explanted capsular bags that spontaneously dislocated in the late postoperative period, with the main objective being to assess the presence of pseudoexfoliation (PXF) material. SETTING: Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany, and John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Standard gross and light microscopy and complete histopathology were performed on explanted subluxated and dislocated capsular bags containing an intraocular lens (IOL) or a capsular tension ring (CTR) and an IOL. Questionnaires were sent to explanting surgeons, and a patient chart review was performed, when available. RESULTS: The specimens were represented by capsular bags containing an IOL (n = 37) or an IOL CTR (n = 3). The IOLs included 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic (n = 13), 1-piece hydrophobic acrylic (n = 7), 3-piece silicone (n = 6), 1-piece hydrophilic acrylic (n = 6), 3-piece hydrophilic acrylic (n = 2), and 1-piece poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) (n = 6) designs; all CTRs were PMMA. Soemmering ring formation was mild in 8 specimens, moderate in 18 specimens, and severe in 14 specimens. Excessive contraction of the capsular bag with capsulorhexis phimosis was observed in 24 specimens. Twenty-six specimens had histopathologic evidence of PXF; 13 had a clinical history or evidence of PXF. CONCLUSIONS: Pseudoexfoliation might be implicated in a larger proportion of late in-the-bag IOL subluxations and dislocations than previously thought as a result of significant clinical underdiagnosis. This might indicate a need for new considerations during the preoperative and postoperative cataract surgery assessments and follow-up. (C) 2015 ASCRS and ESCRS