Anterior Lens Calcification In Pseudophakic Uveitis Patients Treated With Alteplase For Fibrotic Pupillary Membranes: A Case Series

To present a case series of anterior lens calcification in pseudophakic uveitis patients treated with alteplase for fibrotic pupillary membranes

Single centre in the National Health Service.

Prospective review of pseudophakic patients who developed lens calcification following intracameral injection of alteplase to treat inflammatory pupillary membranes.

Five cases of young pseudophakic patients who were treated with alteplase for inflammatory pupillary membranes developed anterior lens calcification.

Uveitis patients are at risk of inflammatory pupillary membranes following cataract surgery. Intracameral alteplase may induce lens calcification in young pseudophakic patients. It has been proposed that this may be due to the impact on calcium-phosphate homeostasis in the aqueous, with sequestered calcium released from the fibrinous matrix as the membrane breaks down, also introducing phosphate ions from buffer solution which may lead to precipitation of calcium on the anterior surface of the lens. Hydrophilic lenses have been reported to be at increased risk of calcification. Uveitis patients undergoing cataract surgery should be considered for a hydrophobic IOL choice to mitigate against this potential risk.