Early recognition and proper treatment of the VIP syndrome

Ghost cell glaucoma following lens implantation

When intraocular hemorrhage occurs following cataract surgery and lens implantation, ghost cell glaucoma may develop. An intraocular lens (IOL) may be a factor in recurrent bleeding, particularly in the predisposed patient. Six patients with ghost cell glaucoma following cataract surgery and lens implantation are described. Because intraocular pressure (IOP) was uncontrolled, vitrectomy was performed to remove the reservoir of ghost cells. In each case, postoperative visual acuity improved to 20/40 or better and IOP was controlled with the use of medications.

Management of glaucoma in the implanted patient

Implanting an intraocular lens in an eye with controlled open angle glaucoma or angle closure glaucoma does not adversely affect the eye's status. Furthermore, it is extremely rare for primary glaucoma to develop in an eye postimplantation. Secondary glaucoma is certainly more common, although its incidence is not substantially greater than that in nonimplanted eyes. Special considerations with respect to medical therapy and surgical treatment of secondary glaucoma in pseudophakia are discussed.

The evolution of the anterior chamber implant up to, and including, the Choyce Mark IX

Since 1963, the Choyce Mark VIII lens, a quadrupedal, anterior chamber implant, has proved satisfactory following conventional intracapsular surgery in eyes of normal size, but less successful after primary extracapsular procedures and in small eyes. Reducing some of its dimensions by as much as 30% enables the surgeon to treat a much wider range of cataract problems through a smaller incision. The reduced-size version is known as the Choyce Mark IX anterior chamber implant. The quadrupedal principle has been preserved.