The contralateral eye in the iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome

Examination of six cases of iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome revealed that all the patients had subclinical abnormalities in the fellow eye. Of the six, four patients had iris transillumination, four patients had significantly decreased outflow facility but without elevation of intraocular pressure, and all patients had corneal endothelial changes as noted by specular microscopy. The asymmetric rather than unilateral involvement and the similar histopathology to posterior polymorphous dystrophy suggested that these two diseases may share a common pathogenesis. The occurrence of features of Rieger's syndrome and Axenfeld's anomaly in association with posterior polymorphous dystrophy suggested the hypothesis that all these diseases may be characterized by abnormalities of tissues derived from neural crest cells. A unifying hypothesis is presented to explain this group of diseases involving the endothelial cells lining the anterior chamber, namely corneal and trabecular meshwork endothelium, anterior iris stroma and iris melanophores.     

Corneal endothelial damage after trabeculectomy with mitomycin C in two patients with glaucoma with cornea guttata

PURPOSE: To report two patients with glaucoma who exhibited severe damage to the corneal endothelium after a trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC). METHODS: This study includes clinical histories and specular microscopic pictures of the cases. RESULTS: Both patients were middle-aged women, underwent trabeculectomy with MMC, had moderate to severe cornea guttata preoperatively, and developed a shallow to flat anterior chamber, classified as grade 2 according to Spaeth early in the postoperative period. Stromal opacity caused by corneal edema associated with severe Descemet's membrane folds appeared within 2 to 5 days in both cases. The density of the corneal endothelium was decreased on specular microscopic examination. The severe corneal endothelial damage seen after the trabeculectomy with MMC was likely owing to a combination of the preexisting cornea guttata, the flat anterior chamber, and possibly the administration of MMC. CONCLUSION: Severe endothelial damage after trabeculectomy with MMC may occur in patients with glaucoma and associated cornea guttata. The use of tight sutures on the scleral flap or a modified operative method, nonpenetrating trabeculectomy, may be effective in preventing a shallow to flat anterior chamber postoperatively.     

Confocal microscopy in the iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

AIMS: To report the appearances of iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome from real time, white light confocal microscopy. METHODS: Three consecutive patients, each with ICE syndrome, were examined prospectively. Corneal specular and confocal microscopic examinations were performed in all three patients. In the first patient, a penetrating keratoplasty was performed and the cornea was examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. No surgery was performed in the remaining two patients. RESULTS: In the first patient corneal oedema prevented endothelial specular microscopy. Confocal microscopy performed before penetrating keratoplasty successfully revealed abnormal epithelial-like endothelial cells. Histological examinations of the cornea following penetrating keratoplasty revealed the presence of multilayered endothelial cells with epithelial features (microvilli). In the remaining two patients, specular microscopy showed the presence of ICE cells with typical dark/light reversal. Confocal microscopy demonstrated groups of endothelial cells with epitheloid appearances. In all three patients, the contralateral endothelial appearance was normal by specular and confocal microscopy, except for moderate endothelial polymegathism in one patient. Epithelial-like endothelial cells were characterised by prominent nuclei on confocal microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The application of confocal microscopy indicates that the ICE syndrome is characterised by epitheloid changes in the endothelium. Confocal microscopy may be used to diagnose the ICE syndrome by demonstrating epithelial-like endothelial cells with hyperreflective nuclei. This technique is especially of value in cases of corneal oedema, since specular microscopy may fail to image the endothelium in such cases.     

虹膜角膜内皮综合征12例的临床观察和分析

目的：分析虹膜角膜内皮综合征( iridocorneal endothelial syndrome,ICE综合征)的临床特点及发病机制,探讨其治疗及预后。
　　方法：选择2007-06/2015-02在第三军医大学附属西南医院住院治疗的12例12眼ICE综合征患者,其中原发性进行性虹膜萎缩7眼,Chandler综合征3眼,Congan-Reese综合征2眼。对所有患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析及随访。
　　结果：所有患者中,8眼行一次或多次滤过手术,4眼仅行青光眼阀门植入术。术后随访时间为15mo ~5a,平均30mo。12眼患者中,4眼抗青光眼术后眼压升高的时间为3~16(平均10)mo,远期观察眼压控制不佳。
　　结论：ICE综合征是一组临床上比较少见的严重眼病,其基本病变为角膜内皮层存在的ICE细胞过度增生导致房角粘连、虹膜萎缩及继发性青光眼等,目前青光眼滤过手术及青光眼阀门植入术只能在术后早期控制眼压,但远期效果不佳。     

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome and glaucoma

Iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome is a group of ocular conditions characterized by corneal proliferative endotheliopathy in which secondary corneal edema, peripheral anterior synechiae, and abnormalities of the iris stroma are the common features. The etiology remains unclear, but may be related to viral infection with Herpes simplex or Epstein-Barr virus. The pathogenesis of the ICE syndrome is believed to result from an abnormality of the corneal endothelial cells (causing corneal edema), with secondary spreading of the cells over the trabecular meshwork region (causing anterior synechiae and elevated intraocular pressure [IOP]) and across the surface of the iris (responsible for the formation of iris holes, pupillary distortion, and iris noduli). The disease complex, which includes essential iris atrophy, Chandler's syndrome, and iris nevus (Cogan-Reese) syndrome, is almost always unilateral, nonfamilial, and typically occurs in females during young adulthood. ICE syndrome is commonly progressive and frequently complicated by secondary glaucoma and corneal decompensation. In Chandler's syndrome, iris changes are less pronounced and corneal edema more frequent than in essential iris atrophy or Cogan-Reese syndrome. Glaucoma associated with ICE syndrome is often difficult to manage and is usually treated with medications and/or filtering surgery. Glaucoma filtering surgery is usually successful when done early, but may fail due to endothelialization of the fistula by the abnormal corneal endothelium.     

86例虹膜角膜内皮综合征临床特征 及误诊分析

目的：探讨虹膜角膜内皮综合征患者的临床特征及常见误诊原因。方法：回顾性系列病例分析。统 计1993-2015年于青岛眼科医院就诊并确诊为虹膜角膜内皮综合征的患者86例(86眼)，记录患者 性别、年龄、主诉、病程、并发症、误诊情况等，按照虹膜角膜内皮综合征的诊断及分型标准，对 患者就诊时的临床特征、误诊情况等进行分析。结果：86例均单眼患病，男女比1:1.2，年龄20～73 （50.1±11.8）岁。91%患者就诊原因以视力渐进性下降伴眼红为主诉，病程0.17～10（2.4±2.3）年；1% 患者以瞳孔变形为主诉，病程1年余；6%患者主诉双眼黑眼珠颜色不一就诊，病程0.5～2（1.4±0.6） 年；2%患者体检发现眼压高并及时就医。初诊正确率为93%，其中95%表现明显虹膜萎缩，体征被 归类为原发性进行性虹膜萎缩，Chandler综合征、Cogan-Reese综合征分别占4%、1%。角膜内皮细 胞形态典型表现为不规则、空泡状、中央区黑而边缘较亮。不典型表现是无明显虹膜萎缩。超声生 物显微镜及房角镜检查周边虹膜广泛前粘连及部分局部丝状前粘连，小梁网棕色色素沉着1～3级。 68%患者已出现青光眼及角膜内皮功能失代偿。27%患者首次就诊出现误诊，其中20%为外院误诊。 8%误诊为慢性闭角型与原发性开角型青光眼，12%误诊为青睫综合征、Fuchs综合征、葡萄膜炎。 角膜内皮细胞检查缺失及虹膜不典型临床表现是误诊的主要原因。结论：视力渐进性下降是虹膜角 膜内皮综合征患者就诊的主要原因，就诊时间较晚、病程长，超过50%患者就诊时已出现并发症； 约95%患者属于原发性进行性虹膜萎缩，最易误诊为原发性青光眼及葡萄膜炎，角膜内皮细胞检查 缺失及虹膜不典型表现为主要误诊原因。     

Implantation of Kelman-style, open-loop anterior chamber lenses during keratoplasty for aphakic and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. A comparison with iris-sutured posterior chamber lenses

The clinical and specular microscopic results of 40 cases (39 patients) of penetrating keratoplasty during which a Kelman-style anterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-one pseudophakic eyes received an intraocular lens exchange and nine aphakic eyes received a secondary intraocular lens. Postoperative follow-up averaged 24.5 months (range, 3 to 51 months). At 1, 2, and 3 years after keratoplasty, 39.3%, 63.2%, and 63.6% of eyes, respectively, had visual acuities of 20/40 or better. Ninety-five percent of the grafts remained clear. Causes of poor postoperative visual acuity included cystoid macular edema (32.5%), new glaucoma (22.5%), and age-related macular degeneration (10.0%). Other causes were endothelial rejection leading to graft failure, corneal ulceration, and retinal detachment. Corneal endothelial cell loss by specular microscopy was 11.5% at 1 years, 21.3% at 2 years, and 25.0% at 3 years. These results were compared with cell loss associated with iris-sutured posterior chamber lenses in penetrating keratoplasty. Visual outcomes and complication rates were similar between these two methods; however, the endothelial attrition at 1 and 2 years for the sutured posterior chamber lens was greater than that of the Kelman anterior chamber lens.     

Ultrasound biomicroscopy of Chinese eyes with iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

AIM: To document the ultrasound biomicroscopic (UBM) findings in Chinese patients with iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome. METHODS: 21 patients with ICE syndrome and 15 normal subjects underwent UBM. UBM findings of anterior segment were compared between normal subjects and three clinical types of ICE syndrome: progressive iris atrophy (PIA), Chandler's syndrome (CS), and Cogan-Reese syndrome (CRS). RESULTS: Central anterior chamber depth was significantly less in patients with ICE syndrome (2.25 (SD 0.32) mm) than in normal subjects (2.76 (0.32) mm). Peripheral anterior synechiae were observed in all the ICE patients by UBM. Three out of four CRS subjects showed an "arborised" shape of iridocorneal angle. Two eyes out of 10 with CS presented bridge-shaped synechiae. A membrane-like mound was observed in iridocorneal angle in two patients: one with CRS and one with CS. UBM was found to be more effective in detecting peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) and iris atrophy than slit lamp microscopy and gonioscopy, mainly because of corneal oedema in patients with CS. Four out of 11 patients with unilateral ICE syndrome had shallow or closed anterior chamber angles in their fellow eyes. Two of them successfully responded to laser peripheral iridotomy. CONCLUSIONS: UBM is an effective method to reveal the anterior segment features and provides a useful tool in the diagnosis of ICE syndrome. Different subtypes of ICE syndrome may have different UBM manifestations. UBM can help to identify angle closure in the fellow eye of unilateral ICE syndromes.     

Descemet stripping with endothelial keratoplasty for treatment of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome

PURPOSE: To describe use of Descemet stripping with endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) to treat corneal edema associated with iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome. METHODS: In this retrospective, consecutive, interventional case series, the corneal endothelium was selectively replaced by the DSEK technique in eyes with ICE syndrome. Three eyes were treated at 1 center between June 2005 and July 2006. Descemet membrane and endothelium were stripped from the recipient and an 8- or 8.5-mm-diameter donor button consisting of posterior stroma and healthy endothelium was folded and implanted through a 5-mm incision. An air bubble was used to press the donor tissue against the recipient cornea, allowing it to attach without sutures. In 1 case with extensive peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS), after the PAS were broken, the anterior chamber was shallow, so a temporary anchor suture was placed in the peripheral edge of the donor tissue to help ensure that it would unfold in the correct orientation. RESULTS: DSEK successfully resolved corneal edema in 3 male patients with unilateral ICE syndrome who were 47 to 67 years of age. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 14 months. Best spectacle-corrected visual acuity at the most recent visit was 20/20 to 20/30, with a mean refractive cylinder of 1.2 D. CONCLUSIONS: Selective replacement of dysfunctional endothelium with DSEK can successfully treat corneal edema and associated visual loss and pain caused by ICE syndrome. Visual recovery is rapid and refractive changes are minimal compared with replacement of the full corneal thickness with a traditional penetrating keratoplasty.     

Ring melanoma—a rare cause of refractory glaucoma

BACKGROUND: Ring melanoma of the ciliary body and iris is extremely rare and often has adverse histology. This tumour may cause raised intraocular pressure. METHODS: A review of four cases of ring melanomas with insidious presentations seen in the ocular oncology service over a 12 month period. RESULTS: All four patients presented with unilateral anterior segment abnormalities and refractory glaucoma. The misdiagnoses of the causes of the glaucoma included angle recession from previous blunt trauma (patient 1); iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome supported by endothelial specular microscopy (patients 2 and 3); and melanocytoma on ciliary body biopsy (patient 4). Two patients were treated by several cyclodiode ciliary body ablation treatments and the other two underwent trabeculectomies and Molteno tubes. Two of the four patients have since died from their disease. CONCLUSION: The ophthalmologist should re-evaluate the diagnosis in patients with anterior segment abnormalities and refractory ipsilateral glaucoma. Endothelial specular microscopy and biopsy of the suspicious lesion may give misleading reassurance. The potential presence of an anterior uveal melanoma must always be considered.     

超声乳化白内障吸除联合小梁切除术治疗闭角型青光眼合并白内障

目的:观察超声乳化白内障吸除人工晶状体植入联合小梁切除术治疗闭角型青光眼合并白内障的临床效果。方法:对闭角型青光眼并白内障36例46眼行超声乳化白内障吸除折叠式人工晶状体植入联合小梁切除手术治疗。术前、术后分别详细记录患者视力、眼压、滤过泡、前房深度、房角及眼底情况。结果:术后随访3mo～2a,43眼(93.5%)视力较术前明显提高,44眼(95.7%)眼压保持在正常范围,术后眼压<21mmHg。35例46眼患者前房深度术前平均为2.1±0.3mm,术后平均3.8±0.4mm,术后所有患者前房深度均加深,术前关闭的前房角也有不同程度的开放。6眼(13.0%)角膜水肿,无角膜内皮失代偿。结论:合并白内障的闭角型青光眼患者行超声乳化白内障吸除联合小梁切除术安全有效,能够有效降低眼压、加深前房、开放房角,提高视力。     

PCCC处理超声乳化白内障术中后囊膜破裂

目的:探讨后囊膜连续环形撕囊(PCCC)在白内障手术中的意义。方法:回顾性研究分析2003-01/2010-12在我院行白内障超声乳化手术、术中后囊膜破裂非计划行后囊膜连续环形撕囊的病例,定期观察最佳矫正视力、角膜内皮计数、眼压、角膜水肿情况、前房Tyndall’s征、瞳孔及人工晶状体位置情况。结果:术后1mo,PCCC组与未行PCCC组的最佳矫正视力0.8以上的差异有统计学意义;术后1mo,PCCC组与未行PCCC组的角膜内皮计数、眼压、角膜水肿情况、前房Tyndall’s征的差异均无统计学意义。结论:后囊膜破裂后在可行PCCC的病例中可以更有效地减少术后并发症,使患者得到更稳定舒适的视觉效果。     

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome (ICE-S): classification, clinical picture, diagnosis

The iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome includes progressive essential iris atrophy, the Cogan-Reese syndrome, Chandler's syndrome and mixed forms. The term ICE-S was proposed by Scheie and Yanoff in 1975 and by Yanoff in 1979. The capacity of migration of the abnormal corneal endothelial cell layer across the anterior chamber angle, and on to the anterior surface of the iris, possible on to the back surface of the iris and across the zonula fibers is responsible for corneal edema, secondary glaucoma, nevi, noduli and atrophy of the iris, and pupillary distortion. The contraction of the migrated membrane-like ICE tissue produces holes in the iris. The diseases are usually unilateral in young patients. The etiology is still not clear. Theories include membrane formation, low grade of inflammation and viral infection with Herpes simplex or Epstein-Barr virus. Glaucoma and edema of the cornea are the main therapeutic problems.     

Atypical presentation and review of the ICE syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The different variants of the iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome were separately described in the early to mid-1900's and were eventually linked to a common etiology of an abnormal corneal endothelium. The ICE syndrome typically manifests in early to middle adulthood, usually occurs in women, and is almost always unilateral. Management of patients with any variant of the ICE syndrome challenges even the best clinicians. CASE REPORT: We present a 52-year-old patient with Chandler's syndrome. Our patient shared many of the classic characteristics of Chandler's syndrome, including peripheral anterior synechiae and corneal edema, with one unusual aspect--the patient was male. Details regarding the subsets of the ICE syndrome, differential diagnosis, and current understanding of the pathophysiology are also reviewed. CONCLUSION: The ICE syndrome is a progressive anterior segment disease that is quite difficult to manage. Corneal edema, increased IOP, and glaucoma are all sequelae of these conditions and, even in the best hands, are extremely challenging to manage. Today, nearly 100 years after Harms described the first patient with an ICE syndrome, we still do not know the exact mechanism for the corneal endothelial changes. Many investigations have been made into the causative agent or stimulus for abnormal endothelial growth in the ICE syndrome. No definitive proof has been established, but a relationship may exist with the Herpes Simplex and Epstein-Barr viruses. Further investigation is needed to determine the most-appropriate treatment and management of the ICE syndrome.     

单眼虹膜角膜内皮综合征患者对侧眼的临床表现

目的　了解单眼虹膜角膜内皮 (iridocornealendothelial,ICE)综合征患者对侧眼的临床表现。方法　观察有病历记录的 42例临床确诊为单眼ICE综合征患者对侧眼的临床表现。对其中 1 9例ICE综合征患者对侧眼的屈光状态、眼压、裂隙灯检查、房角镜检查、超声生物显微镜检查结果进行分析。并将 42例中的 35例ICE综合征患者对侧眼的角膜内皮细胞计数结果与 35例年龄匹配的正常人角膜内皮计数进行比较 ,t检验分析两组间角膜内皮细胞密度、六角形细胞比例及细胞大小变异度的差异。结果　在 1 9例ICE综合征患者的对侧眼中 ,88 9%为正视眼或远视眼 ,1例高眼压 ,50 0 %(6/ 1 2 )前房深度 <2 2mm ,3例虹膜萎缩或发育欠佳 ,3例前房角窄Ⅱ～窄Ⅲ和 (或 )前房角粘连关闭 ,2例前房角锥状粘连 ,1例视野检查发现相对旁中心暗点 ,31 6 %病例合并全身性疾病。 35例ICE综合征患者对侧眼的平均角膜内皮细胞密度为 (2 593 4± 432 7)个 /mm2 ,低于正常对照组 (2 784 9± 2 80 6)个 /mm2 ,两者比较差异有显著意义 (t=- 2 43 ,P =0 0 1 9) ;六角形细胞的百分率为 (56 5± 6 4) % ,低于正常对照组的 (58 8± 5 7) % ,两组比较差异无显著意义 (t=- 1 0 0 5 ,P =0 332 ) ;细胞大小变异度为 0 332± 0 0 3 ,低于正常对照组     

Vision loss after inadvertent corneal perforation during lid anesthesia

A 68-year-old woman was referred for glaucoma management after inadvertent corneal perforation during eyelid anesthesia for upper eyelid blepharoplasty. A mixture of 50:50 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and 0.5% bupivacaine buffered with sodium bicarbonate was injected intracamerally. Decreased vision and uncontrollable intraocular pressure resulted, despite prompt anterior chamber washout. Examination showed corneal edema, inflammation, and secondary angle closure. Intraocular pressure control with seton placement led to an improvement in vision; however, mild corneal haze remained, and specular microscopy showed endothelial cell loss, presumably secondary to local anesthetic toxicity. Inadvertent ocular penetration is a rare but serious complication of local eyelid anesthesia. Prompt recognition is essential to institute appropriate management and minimize subsequent vision loss.     

Combined endothelial keratoplasty and clear lens extraction for corneal decompensation in irido-corneal endothelial syndrome

A 38-year-old woman presented with corneal decompensation in left eye secondary to irido-corneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome. She underwent simultaneous Descemet''s stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) and clear lens extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. The surgery was accomplished comfortably without rupture of peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS). 5 weeks postoperatively, the graft was attached, the cornea was clear and best-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/400 to 20/30. DSEK combined with clear lens extraction appears to be an effective measure to treat corneal decompensation in patients with ICE syndrome. Associated lens extraction in such cases increases the working space in anterior chamber for DSEK, which minimizes the intra-operative graft manipulation. This also avoids a future difficult cataract surgery in the presence of PAS and an endothelial graft, which may increase the chances of graft survival.     

青光眼小梁切除术后白内障超声乳化术的临床观察

目的探讨闭角型青光眼术后白内障患者行白内障超声乳化吸除联合折叠人工晶状体植入术的临床效果。方法淮南市第一人民医院2012年6月至2015年6月收治30例（32只眼）青光眼小梁切除术后白内障患者,盐酸奥布卡因眼药水表面麻醉,经颞侧透明角膜行白内障超声乳化联合折叠人工晶状体植入术,术中记录超声乳化时间、超声乳化能量、流量及负压;术后1～18个月随访,观察患者视力、角膜散光度、角膜内皮计数、眼压、前房深度及其他术后并发症情况。结果大多数患者术后视力恢复满意,眼压控制平稳,前房角深度较术前显著加深,上方滤过泡未见明显改变。术后角膜水肿18只眼,前房炎性渗出5只眼,均在3～10 d内消退。后囊破裂及玻璃体溢出2只眼,无虹膜损伤病例。结论超声乳化术治疗青光眼小梁切除术后白内障具有较好的临床疗效,能有效控制眼压,提高视力,减少术后并发症。     

Iridocorneal endothelial syndrome with contralateral guttate endothelial dystrophy. A light and electron microscopic study

Both eyes from a 75-year-old woman who had unilateral closed-angle glaucoma, characteristic endothelial specular microscopic findings, and slowly progressive tractional iris abnormalities consistent with essential iris atrophy were obtained postmortem and studied by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Clinically, the nonglaucomatous right eye had an open-angle, normal iris, and severe endothelial dystrophy with three-plus corneal guttae. In this eye, results of histopathologic examination disclosed marked endothelial degeneration and typical guttate excrescences on Descemet's membrane. In contrast, the endothelium in the fellow eye with the essential iris atrophy variant of the iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome was strikingly different. The endothelial cells were relatively well preserved and exhibited marked pleomorphism, anisocytosis, and flat, occasionally paired oval nuclei. Binucleate cells also were observed. The endothelial monolayer had secreted a new layer of fibrillar extracellular matrix material on the posterior surface of Descemet's membrane. Extracellular matrix material was found interposed between the iris and cornea in zones of synechial closure, and an endothelial membrane was present on the anterior surface of the iris. These observations support the hypothesis that the iris abnormalities in essential iris atrophy are secondary to endothelial proliferation. The endothelial cells displayed neither tonofilaments nor abundant apical microvilli. The latter observation suggests that increased numbers of endothelial microvilli are not responsible for the characteristic specular microscopic picture seen in the ICE syndrome.     

Toxic anterior segment syndrome and possible association with ointment in the anterior chamber following cataract surgery

PURPOSE: To report clinical and laboratory findings of 8 cases of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) related to an oily substance in the anterior chamber of patients following cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. SETTING: John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. METHODS: Eight patients had uneventful phacoemulsification by the same surgeon via clear corneal incisions with implantation of the same 3-piece silicone IOL design. Postoperative medications included antibiotic/steroid ointment and pilocarpine gel; each eye was firmly patched at the end of the procedure. On the first postoperative day, some patients presented with diffuse corneal edema, increased intraocular pressure, and an oily film-like material within the anterior chamber coating the corneal endothelium. The others presented with an oily bubble floating inside the anterior chamber, which was later seen coating the IOL. Additional surgical procedures required included penetrating keratoplasty, IOL explantation, and trabeculectomy. Two corneal buttons were analyzed histopathologically. Two explanted IOLs had gross and light microscopic analyses (as well as surface analyses of 1 of them), and 4 other explanted IOLs had gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Pathological examination of the corneas showed variable thinning of the epithelium with edema. The stroma was diffusely thickened and the endothelial cell layer was absent. Evaluation of the explanted IOLs confirmed the presence of an oily substance coating large areas of their anterior and posterior optic surfaces. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the lens extracts identified a mixed chain hydrocarbon compound that was also found in the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the ointment used postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the ointment gained access to the eye, causing the postoperative complications described. These cases highlight the importance of appropriate wound construction and integrity, as well as the risks of tight eye patching following placement of ointment.