Incidence and long-term outcomes of toxic anterior segment syndrome at Aravind Eye Hospital.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and long-term outcomes of toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS) at a single institution.

SETTING

Aravind Eye Hospital, Pondicherry, India.

DESIGN

Case series.

METHODS

The records of all eyes developing TASS during a 1-year period after cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes, including corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure, and complications, were recorded at the 1-month and 6-month follow-up visits.

RESULTS

Toxic anterior segment syndrome occurred in 60 eyes (0.22%) in 26 408 consecutive cataract surgeries. Although there were 2 identifiable clusters of TASS, 52% of cases were sporadic. The mean duration until resolution of severe iridocyclitis was 6.11 days ± 2.19 (SD). Of the 24 eyes (40%) with a follow-up of at least 6 months (mean 11.24 ± 2.3 months), 6 (24%) had atrophic iris changes, 1 (4%) had cystoid macular edema, 3 (12.5%) developed anterior capsule phimosis, and 4 (16%) had posterior capsule opacification (PCO). There was no statistically significant difference between the mean CDVA at 1 month (0.08 ± 0.06 logMAR) (n = 60) and the mean final CDVA (0.11 ± 0.1 logMAR, minimum 6 months; n = 24) (P=.42).

CONCLUSIONS

Although it is impossible to generalize for all etiologies, this study found that TASS is uncommon but not rare, responded to intensive topical antiinflammatory medication, and was usually associated with a good visual outcome. Anterior capsule contraction and PCO were the principal delayed-onset complications beyond those present 1 month postoperatively.