Iris retraction syndrome after intraocular surgery.

BACKGROUND

The authors report the postoperative development of iris retraction syndrome in two individuals. This is a rare syndrome that can present with pupillary block after an unrepaired rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

PATIENTS: The authors report two patients who had the iris retraction syndrome shortly after intraocular surgery. One patient had pupillary block that developed 6 months after cataract extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. A second patient had uveitis, hypotony, and pupillary seclusion 4 weeks after pars plana vitrectomy.

RESULTS

Both patients were treated successfully with a scleral buckling procedure and peripheral iridectomy.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative uveitis that occurs with iris retraction and pupillary seclusion should alert the physician of an occult retinal detachment and warrant a thorough dilated funduscopic examination. Features unique to this report include the development of iris retraction syndrome in the presence of a pseudophakos, the rapidity of onset of this disorder after retinal detachment, and its masquerade as a persistent postoperative uveitis.