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77 year old woman seen in the optometry clinic for aphakic contact lenses
Digital Journal of Ophthalmology 1998
Volume 4, Number 15
February 28, 1998
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Kenneth M. Goins, MD | The University of Chicago, Chicago IL Arutun Oganesian, MD | The University of Chicago, Chicago IL Louise Sclafani, OD | The University of Chicago, Chicago IL
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| Diagnosis and Discussion | Brown-McLean Syndrome
This is a form of peripheral corneal edema involving both stroma and epithelium without vascularization. The condition occurs long after cataract surgery and has not been seen earlier than 6 years. The syndrome was first described by Brown and McLean in 1969.
Corneal edema extends 2 to 3 mm centrally FROM the limbus for 360 degrees. The superior limbus may be clear, particularly if there is a superior sector iridectomy. In most cases, fine pigment is deposited on the endothelium in the involved areas. Endothelial cell density may be decreased, however, the central cornea rarely becomes edematous.
Atrophy of the peripheral iris may be seen by transillumination. This atrophy is probably not the result of liberation of iris pigment because the trabecular meshwork is not unduly pigmented in these cases. Although altered aqueous dynamics, iridodonesis, and movement of other tissues or the intraocular lens have been proposed as etiologies, the cause of the syndrome remains unknown.
This syndrome occurs mostly in aphakic eyes, though patients with extracapsular cataract extraction, anterior chamber lenses, as well as posterior chamber lenses have been described. The reports of involved siblings and frequent bilaterality may suggest a possible genetic predisposition. Most patients require no therapy, however, penetrating keratoplasty and peripheral conjunctival flaps have been used for pain control. | |
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