Phakodonesis in capsular glaucoma: a clinical and electron microscopic study.

Subluxation of the lens and phakodonesis were found in 22 out of 261 patients with capsular glaucoma. The overall incidence of these conditions was 8.4%. Electron microscopic examinations demonstrated that the zonular fibers of the lens with phakodonesis had marked degenerative changes, while in the lens without phakodonesis the zonular fibers were nearly normal in appearance. At the present time when the main cataract extraction procedure has been changed from ICCE to either ECCE or ECCE plus IOL implantation, phakodonesis must be considered as a sign of high risk concerning the prognosis of the operation. Phakodonesis should be taken into account when planning an operation on an eye containing pseudoexfoliative material.