Late iris abscess after cataract extraction.

A 73-year-old woman underwent an uneventful intracapsular lens extraction. Two years later, an iris abscess, hypopyon, strong flare, corneal edema, and elevated intraocular pressure developed. Visual acuity diminished from 6/6 (20/20) with aphakic correction to hand movements. Gram-positive cocci sensitive to erythromycin and chloramphenicol were cultured from the anterior chamber. The hypopyon and the iris abscess reabsorbed because we administrated erythromycin at the beginning of the illness. Final visual acuity was 6/6 (20/20) and only a small hole remained in the iris at the site of the abscess. She was in good health four years later.