Cystinosis, cataract surgery, and corneal erosions

A 21-year-old man presented with severe corneal cystinosis and steroid-related cataract bilaterally. Rather than combined cataract surgery and penetrating keratoplasty, the patient had uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation after which visual acuity improved to 66 in both eyes. The outcome indicates that conventional phacoemulsification is sufficient in these cases. A guarded prognosis is advised in patients with cystinosis having cataract surgery as the fundal view is often impaired and there may be associated maculopathy.