2020–2021 BCSC Basic and Clinical Science Course™
4 Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors
Part I: Ophthalmic Pathology
Chapter 9: Lens
Inflammation
Phacolytic Uveitis
Phacolytic uveitis is an inflammatory condition caused by leakage of lens protein from a hypermature or morgagnian cataract through a grossly intact lens capsule. The proteins are often engulfed by histiocytes. These protein-laden histiocytes may clog the trabecular meshwork or induce an inflammatory response in the angle, leading to a form of glaucoma called phacolytic glaucoma. See also BCSC Section 9, Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation, and Section 10, Glaucoma.
Excerpted from BCSC 2020-2021 series: Section 4 - Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors. For more information and to purchase the entire series, please visit https://www.aao.org/bcsc.