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Review
. 2014 Aug 13:8:1507-13.
doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S67407. eCollection 2014.

Capsular block syndrome: a case report and literature review

Mauricio Vélez  1 , Luis F Velásquez  1 , Sebastián Rojas  1 , Laura Montoya  1 , Katherine Zuluaga  1 , Kepa Balparda  1
Affiliations
Review

Capsular block syndrome: a case report and literature review

Mauricio Vélez et al. Clin Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Purpose: To report the case of a patient who developed late capsular block syndrome and to review the current literature regarding this complication of phacoemulsification procedures.

Methods: The literature was reviewed to summarize the diagnosis, classification, use of diagnostic aids, and the current treatments for this complication.

Results: A 69-year-old patient complained of decreased visual acuity 11 months after undergoing phacoemulsification. She was found to have a secondary myopization. Anterior segment ultrabiomicroscopy confirmed the diagnosis of capsular block syndrome. The patient underwent neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy, which resulted in complete resolution of her symptoms.

Conclusion: CAPSULAR BLOCK SYNDROME IS A FAIRLY RARE COMPLICATION OF PHACOEMULSIFICATION PROCEDURES THAT, DEPENDING PRIMARILY ON THE TIMING OF ITS OCCURRENCE FOLLOWING SURGERY, CAN DEVELOP INTO ONE OF THE THREE FOLLOWING POSSIBLE CLINICAL SCENARIOS: intraoperatory, early postoperatory, and late postoperatory. In this patient, Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was shown to be a safe and effective treatment option for this type of complication.

Keywords: cataract; continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis; phacoemulsification.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Anterior segment photography of the right eye. Notes: White arrow: slit lamp light over the anterior intraocular lens surface. Black arrow: slit lamp light over the posterior intraocular lens surface. Gray arrow: slit lamp light over the posterior capsule.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Comparative ultrabiomicroscopies of both eyes. (A) Right eye. The intraocular lens is displacing the iris forward. There is an echo-negative space between the intraocular lens and the distended posterior capsule. (B) Left eye. A normally placed intraocular lens. There is no abnormal contact with any surrounding structure.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Anterior segment photography of the right eye after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. Notes: White arrow, slit-lamp light over the corneal surface; black arrow, slit-lamp light over the anterior surface of the intraocular lens; gray arrows, posterior capsulotomy borders. Abbreviation: Nd:YAG, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Anterior segment photography of the right eye after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. Abbreviation: Nd:YAG, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Ultrabiomicroscopy of the right eye after Nd:YAG capsulotomy. The capsular block syndrome is resolved. There is no contact between the intraocular lens and the iris. Abbreviation: Nd:YAG, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Anterior segment photography of the right eye using a Scheimpflug-based camera.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Anterior segment photography of the left eye using a Scheimpflug-based camera.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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