[Effects of the duration of cataract extraction and eyeglass wear in patients with aphakia on the development of changes in the macular area].

Forty-eight patients with aphakia were examined to elucidate the effect of cataract extraction duration on subsequent development of Irwin-Hass syndrome. A total of 229 patients were examined 6 months and more after cataract extraction to find out whether sun light could induce development of dystrophic changes in the central retina in aphakia. The results indicate that operation duration of more than an hour increased the risk of subsequent development of Irwin-Hass syndrome. Aphakia patients wearing no eyeglasses or contact lenses or intraocular lenses may develop maculodystrophies, probably due to the injurious effect of sun rays on the retina.