Phacolytic glaucoma: are there 2 forms?

Abstract

We report a case of acute phacolytic glaucoma in which only protein was present in the anterior chamber without macrophages. We propose that this study represents a type of phacolytic glaucoma characterized by a hyperacute presentation caused by rapid leakage of degenerated lens proteins into the aqueous humor as opposed to a second type with a more gradual onset and with phacolytic macrophages in the aqueous humor resulting from an immunologic response to liquefied lens proteins. Thus, 2 forms, perhaps at ends of a spectrum of clinical manifestations of phacolytic glaucoma, may exist with distinct characteristics and pathophysiology.