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Capsular block syndrome: a case report and literature review
Authors Vélez M, Velásquez L, Rojas S, Montoya L, Zuluaga K, Balparda K
Received 8 May 2014
Accepted for publication 5 June 2014
Published 13 August 2014 Volume 2014:8 Pages 1507—1513
DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S67407
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 3
Video abstract presented by Mauricio Vélez
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Mauricio Vélez, Luis F Velásquez, Sebastián Rojas, Laura Montoya, Katherine Zuluaga, Kepa Balparda
Pontifical Bolivarian University, School of Medicine, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
Purpose: To report the case of a patient who developed late capsular block syndrome and to review the current literature regarding this complication of phacoemulsification procedures.
Methods: The literature was reviewed to summarize the diagnosis, classification, use of diagnostic aids, and the current treatments for this complication.
Results: A 69-year-old patient complained of decreased visual acuity 11 months after undergoing phacoemulsification. She was found to have a secondary myopization. Anterior segment ultrabiomicroscopy confirmed the diagnosis of capsular block syndrome. The patient underwent neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy, which resulted in complete resolution of her symptoms.
Conclusion: Capsular block syndrome is a fairly rare complication of phacoemulsification procedures that, depending primarily on the timing of its occurrence following surgery, can develop into one of the three following possible clinical scenarios: intraoperatory, early postoperatory, and late postoperatory. In this patient, Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was shown to be a safe and effective treatment option for this type of complication.
Keywords: continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification, cataract
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