Rupture of anterior lens capsule from blunt ocular injury.

Abstract

We report 3 cases of blunt trauma causing rupture of the anterior lens capsule with cataract formation. The injuries were caused by a paintball gun, a ball-bearing air pistol, and an aluminum rivet. In all 3 cases, the anterior capsule tears were central and the posterior capsules and zonules intact; uneventful cataract extraction with implantation of an intraocular lens was performed. The postoperative visual acuities was 20/40 in 1 case and 20/20 in the other 2 cases. We propose that the anterior lens capsule may have been torn by direct contusion from rapid focal indentation of the cornea onto the lens (coup injury) or by a fluid-mechanical, anteriorly directed rebound of the vitreous, bursting open the anterior capsule (contrecoup injury).

• Authors: Michael R Banitt, João B Malta, Shahzad I Mian, H Kaz Soong
• Journal: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery (J Cataract Refract Surg) Vol. 35 Issue 5 Pg. 943-5 (May 2009) ISSN: 1873-4502 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19393898 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anterior Chamber (metabolism)
• Cataract (etiology)
• Cataract Extraction
• Eye Injuries (complications)
• Humans
• Intraocular Pressure
• Lens Capsule, Crystalline (injuries)
• Lens Cortex, Crystalline (metabolism)
• Lens Implantation, Intraocular
• Male
• Rupture
• Visual Acuity
• Wounds, Nonpenetrating (complications)