BACKGROUND: Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is associated with an increased risk for the development of capsular fibrosis including capsular phimosis. A complete occlusion of the anterior capsular opening is, so far, a rarely reported phenomenon.
METHODS: Here we report the case of a 75-year-old female patient who suffered from a secondary open-angle glaucoma caused by PEX. Three months after an uneventful cataract surgery with
capsulorhexis, phakoemulsification and implantation of a posterior chamber lens (PMMA) the anterior capsular opening of her left eye was completely occluded.
RESULTS: The patient reported a slow loss of vision (20/40 immediately after cataract surgery to 20/200 at the follow-up visit three months later). The examination revealed a complete closure of the
capsulorhexis with thick, central fibrous material. The diameter of the
capsulorhexis was extensively diminished. Reopening of the anterior capsular opening utilizing a YAG laser was achieved and visual acuity increased to 20/40. Additionally, the fibrotic, secondary cataract of the posterior capsule was removed, again with a YAG laser, five weeks after the first intervention and, now with a free optical axis, the patient\'s visual acuity increased further to 20/30.
CONCLUSIONS: The excessive production of fibrosis and the tendency towards a shrinkage of the diameter of the
capsulorhexis postoperatively in patients with PEX may lead to a complete occlusion of the
capsulorhexis. Even in such extreme cases, the reopening of the anterior and posterior capsule by a YAG laser is possible and, as demonstrated here, leads to a morphologically and functionally satisfying result.