Ophthalmological aspects in patients with Werner's syndrome.

In ten of 18 eyes from nine patients with Werner's syndrome, cataract surgery was complicated by wound dehiscence and its consequences: peripheral anterior synechiae (4), secondary epiretinal gliosis (4), cystoid macular edema (3) in the framework of Hruby-Irvine-Gass syndrome, unplanned filtering bleb (2), and post-operative anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (1). Additionally, corneal endothelial decompensation occurred in eight eyes. In view of the fibroblasts' reduced growth potential, we suggest small surgical incisions, extracapsular cataract surgery using phacoemulsification, intraocular irrigation solutions protecting corneal endothelium, nonabsorbable single knot sutures not removed before 1 year after surgery, and no local or systemic use of cortisone.