lens induced uveitis

Last reviewed 01/2018

This describes anterior uveitis caused by lens material in the anterior chamber.

Classically, this occurs when the lens develops a hypermature cataract. The lens leaks and material passes into the anterior chamber, causing an inflammatory reaction. The eye becomes red and moderately painful. The pupil is small and vision is markedly reduced. A similar picture may follow traumatic cataracts.

A more severe reaction is seen following an extracapsular lens extraction when the same operation has been performed on the other eye so that the patient has been sensitised to their own lens material.