Acquired Anterior Ocular Melanocytosis Following Cataract Extraction

The right eye of a 59-year-old man was the subject of extracapsular cataract extraction and posterior chamber lens implantation. He gradually developed superior sectoral scleral and diffuse iris hyperpigmentation within 7 years postoperatively. The iris was also uniformly thickened. He sustained 20/20 visual acuity in the Pseudophakie eye. Despite marked pigmentation of the angle, his right intraocular pressure remained within normal limits. We use the term acquired anterior ocular melanocytosis because the pigmentary changes were confined to the anterior segment and the choroid was not involved. We conclude that surgical injury in the form of cataract extraction can induce episcleral/scleral hyperpigmentation and iris hyperchromia. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers 2002; 33:71-73]