Background

Lens-particle glaucoma, a subclassification of lens-induced glaucoma,^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]}is a type of secondary open-angle glaucoma involving intraocular retention of fragmented lens debris. Following surgery or injury, lens material may be sequestered within the capsular bag or dislocated into other areas of either the posterior eye or the anterior eye. Characteristically, large lens pieces spontaneously fragment further into small (sometimes invisible) particles that eventually migrate into the anterior chamber and obstruct aqueous outflow.^[6]Lens-particle glaucoma is not associated with decentration or dislocation of an intact lens.

Pathophysiology

The mechanism involves the following 4 processes: (1) presence of a nonintact lens capsule, usually violated during trauma or intraocular surgery; (2) subsequent release of microscopic lens debris into the anterior chamber, sometimes associated with dislocation of larger lens fragments in the anterior or posterior segment; (3) obstruction of trabecular meshwork by lens particles^[6]and inflammatory components^[7]; and (4) reduction of the outflow facility of an open anterior chamber angle, resulting in elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP).

Frequency

United States

The frequency of penetrating eye injury in the United States has been estimated at 3.1 per 100,000 person-years,^[8]with a predominance in young males. The incidence of lens-particle glaucoma in adults has not been specifically reported, but a 2019 retrospective review found an incidence of 7.1% following open globe injury in pediatric eyes.^[9]

Mortality/Morbidity

Mortality is not associated with this condition. Morbidity is rare.

Race

No known racial predilection exists.

Sex

No known gender predilection exists for lens-particle glaucoma. However, penetrating eye trauma, a risk factor for lens-particle glaucoma, has been reported to occur more commonly in young adult males.^[8]Alcohol abuse is a significant comorbidity in this population.

Age

All ages are affected, ranging from infancy (especially when involving congenital cataract surgery) to late adulthood. Penetrating eye injuries occur most frequently in young adults. However, lens-particle glaucoma probably occurs most commonly in elderly persons as a complication of cataract surgery.

Clinical Presentation

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Media Gallery

Lens nucleus dislocated into the inferior vitreous during cataract surgery. Reprinted from Survey of Ophthalmology, Vol 43. Monshizadeh R, Nasrollah S, Haimovici R: Management of retained intravitreal lens fragments after cataract surgery. 397-403. Copyright 1999, with permission from Elsevier Science.
Ruptured lens capsule with elevated intraocular pressure following trauma. Courtesy of KS Kooner, MD.

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Author

Donny W Suh, MD, MBA, FAAP, FACS Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult Strabismus, Medical Director of Eye-Mobile, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, UC Irvine Health, University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine; Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine; Chief Medical Officer, Suh Precision Syringe, LLC; Medical Staff, Children’s Hospital of Orange County

Donny W Suh, MD, MBA, FAAP, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, American College of Healthcare Executives, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Section on Ophthalmology, American Ophthalmological Society, International Strabismological Association, Iowa Medical Society, Metro Omaha Medical Society, National Eye Care Project, Nebraska Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics, ORBIS, Surgical Eye Expeditions (SEE) International

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jody Z He, BA MD Candidate, Eastern Virginia Medical School

Jody Z He, BA is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, Lions Clubs International

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD Clinical Professor of Health Sciences, Department of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Martin B Wax, MD Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; Vice President, Research and Development, Head, Ophthalmology Discovery Research and Preclinical Sciences, Alcon Laboratories, Inc

Martin B Wax, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, Society for Neuroscience

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy, Sr, MD † Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy, Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Brian R Sullivan, MD Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center

Brian R Sullivan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard W Allinson, MD Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center; Senior Staff Ophthalmologist, Scott and White Clinic

Richard W Allinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Supported in part by an unrestricted research grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc, New York, New York.

At the time of writing and subsequently updating this article, the author had no financial interests in any of the products discussed herein, nor in any of the companies that manufacture or distribute them.