Successful argon laser photocoagulation of diffuse epithelial ingrowth following concomitant persistent pupillary membrane removal and phacoemulsification

Abstract

A 57-year-old woman had concomitant surgery of persistent pupillary membrane removal and uneventful phacoemulsification through the same temporal clear corneal incision in her left eye. Short axial lengths (right eye, 21.08 mm; left eye, 20.39 mm) with shallow angles were noted bilaterally, and other findings were not remarkable. The patient experienced angle-closure attacks 3 and 7 months postoperatively. At the second angle-closure attack, diffuse epithelial ingrowth was observed. The epithelial ingrowth covered the intraocular lens surface in the interpupillary area, the iris surface surrounding the pupil, and the temporal anterior chamber angle, but did not reach the corneal endothelial incision. After observation of iris blanching with laser photocoagulation, argon laser photocoagulation was applied to the epithelium covering the iris and angle 7 times during the following month. The epithelial ingrowth was completely removed and did not recur during the 36-month follow-up. Financial disclosure: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.