Phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis

Abstract

Phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis is a rare disease that develops infrequently after lens injury. The recent popularity of extracapsular cataract extraction with intraocular lens implants and the recently described possible association of low-grade infections have stimulated renewed interest in phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis. It was formerly believed that this disease was due to the rejection of a lens protein that had been sequestered prior to lens injury. Recent observations indicate that this concept is incorrect and that phacoanaphylactic endophthalmitis represents altered tolerance to lens proteins. Clinical and histopathologic features as well as controversies in clinical management are discussed. Recent evidence concerning mechanisms of pathogenesis is reviewed [corrected].