“Ultra-Late Onset Capsular Bag Distension Syndrome: Risk Factors and Characteristics on Scheimpflug Imaging”

Background: To provide insights into the characteristic of ultra-late onset capsular bag distension syndrome (CBDS) after phacoemulsification. Design: An interventional, retrospective case series at a tertiary care institute. Participants: 5 Post-cataract surgery patients who presented with the retrolenticular fluid collection. Methods: This is an interventional, retrospective case series of 5 cases who presented with clinical signs of ultralate CBDS>7 years after uneventful phacoemulsification with in-the-bag posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation at a tertiary care institute. Scheimpflug imaging was used in all cases in addition to slit lamp biomicroscopic examination to assess and diagnose the condition. Neodymium:Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (Nd:YAG) posterior capsulotomy was performed in all to treat the condition. Main outcome measure: Results: All 5 patients presented with a milky fluid collection within the distended capsular bag without raised intraocular pressure or a shallow anterior chamber. Scheimpflug imaging confirmed the diagnosis in all cases and all eyes revealed a hyper-reflective space between the intraocular lens optic and the posterior capsule. Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy was performed in all patients, with resolution of fluid and improvement of visual acuity. Conclusion: Our case series showed that Scheimpflug imaging is a useful modality to diagnose ultra-late onset CBDS and to differentiate this condition from intraocular lens opacification and posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Nd:YAG posterior capsulotomy proved to be successful treatment for ultra-late CBDS with no significant change in biometric or refractive parameters.