1171: pigment dispersion syndrome

Pigment dispersion syndrome is a condition where iris pigment is dispersed throughout the anterior segment of the eye via the aqueous. Due to the fluidic currents of the anterior chamber, there can be deposition of pigment on the central corneal endothelium in a characteristic pattern called a Krukenberg spindle.

This pigment is also deposited in the trabecular meshwork and can limit outflow of aqueous, leading to an increase in the intra-ocular pressure and glaucomatous optic nerve changes. Cataract surgery can help these patients limit further pigment dispersion to a degree since the thick crystalline lens (in this case the cataract thickness was 4.5 mm) is replaced by a man-made IOL which is less than 1 mm thin.

click below to learn how cataract surgery is different in pigment dispersion syndrome: