Is pseudoexfoliation serious?
Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEG) is a common cause of blindness worldwide and tends to be more progressive and serious compared to primary OAG (POAG).
What is a pseudo cataract?
Abstract. Pseudoexfoliation (PXF) syndrome is characterized by the deposition of distinctive fibrillar material in the anterior segment of the eye. It is an age-related process that is associated with open and narrow angle glaucomas and the formation of cataracts.
How does pseudoexfoliation affect cataract surgery?
“Pseudoexfoliation patients don’t dilate as well as other patients do,” notes Dr. Devgan. “Notably, it turns out that the ones who are dilating more poorly tend to have weaker zonular support during surgery, while the pseudoexfoliation patients who dilate better tend to have somewhat better zonular support.”
How is pseudoexfoliation diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made using slit lamp biomicroscopy and intraocular pressure measurement. Deposition of white fluffy material on the anterior lens capsule and pupillary margin and iris transillumination defects can be visualized in many cases. Gonioscopy may show increased pigment deposit on the trabecular meshwork.
What causes pseudo exfoliation?
Causes are thought to be both genetic and environmental, and not only eyes are affected. XFS is a systemic disorder of the extracellular matrix. The syndrome also has systemic associations: Microfibrillar material is found in the heart, blood vessels, lungs, liver and kidneys.
What causes pseudoexfoliation of the lens capsule?
Pseudoexfoliation (PEX) syndrome is a well-recognized late-onset disease caused by a generalized fibrillopathy. It is linked to a broad spectrum of ocular complications including glaucoma and perioperative problems during cataract surgery.
Is pseudoexfoliation a type of glaucoma?
In fact, pseudoexfoliative glaucoma is the most common form of secondary open angle glaucoma. Not all patients with PXF develop glaucoma and it is difficult to predict which patients are more susceptible.
What is exfoliation of the eye?
Exfoliation syndrome (XFS) is an age-related disease in which abnormal fibrillar extracellular material is produced and accumulates in many ocular tissues. Its ocular manifestations involve all of the structures of the anterior segment, as well as conjunctiva and orbital structures.
How does pseudoexfoliation cause glaucoma?
The accumulation of pseudoexfoliative material in the extracellular matrix of tissues results in altered metabolism and hence disturbed structure and function. The trabecular meshwork becomes clogged resulting in reduced aqueous outflow, raised IOP and secondary glaucoma.
How do I know if I have Pseudoexfoliation of the eye?
The best way to determine if a person has pseudoexfoliation of the eye is to be examined by an eye doctor using a slit lamp – a routine piece of equipment that all eye doctors use. The pseudoexfoliation material can be easily seen on the pupil and lens of the eye, if looked for properly.
What is Pseudoexfoliation of the lens?
pseudoexfoliation of the lens, exfoliation syndrome. Specialty. Ophthalmology. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome, often abbreviated as PEX and sometimes as PES or PXS, is an aging-related systemic disease manifesting itself primarily in the eyes which is characterized by the accumulation of microscopic granular amyloid-like protein fibers.
What causes pseudoexfoliation flakes in the eye?
The source of the pseudoexfoliation flakes has not been fully identified, but there is evidence that the pseudoexfoliation material leaks out from blood vessels that supply the eye, and then deposits and accumulates in various parts of the front part of the eye.
Is pseudoexfoliation a systemic disease?
However, there is increasing scientific, medical evidence that pseudoexfoliation is a systemic disease affecting the entire body, since microscopic pseudoexfoliation material has been found in numerous body organs including the liver, heart, skin, kidneys and other tissues.