Pupillary block after intraocular lens implantation.

Seventeen patients, ranging in age from 40 to 86 years, developed pupillary block detected one week to three years after intraocular lens implantation. Sixteen of the implants were anterior chamber intraocular lenses and one was a posterior chamber intraocular lens. Despite iris bombé that closed the anterior chamber angle, many cases were asymptomatic and were discovered fortuitously during routine postoperative examinations. Laser iridotomy or iridectomy eliminated the pupillary block in all 17 cases, but permanent synechial closure of a portion of the anterior chamber angle persisted in most cases and sometimes required medication or further surgery. One eye eventually lost all light perception.