[Cysts and Fuchs' endothelial adenomas of the pars plicata corporis ciliaris--degeneration products as an expression of various ciliary body functions?].

The pars plicata of the ciliary body of 24 eyes was investigated by light microscopy in frontal serial slides. All eyes were normal macroscopically and all anterior segments revealed no signs of inflammation or tumor microscopically. A typical Fuchs' adenoma was found in three cases (12.5%). Cysts of the ciliary epithelium had a 75% frequency (18/24 eyes). Cyst formation occurred most often within the unpigmented epithelium and between the ciliary processes. It may start before birth. A higher frequency of ciliary epithelial cysts in elder patients could not be verified. Pathogenesis of cystic lesions of the pars ciliaris retinae is discussed. To our opinion Fuchs adenomas and the frequent ciliary epithelial cysts of the pars plicata are end-stage degenerative products due to the secretory and accommodative activities of the ciliary body.