Choroidal neovascular membrane following clear lens extraction

PURPOSE: To emphasize the effect of an inflammatory event like lens extraction on choroidal neovascularization. CASE REPORT: A 56-year-old woman was referred due to decreased vision in the right eye after bilateral clear lens extraction. The anterior segment examination was unremarkable and intraocular lenses were in the bag of both eyes. Fundus examination of the right eye revealed a choroidal neovascularization with retinal hemorrhage on the nasal edge and a predominantly classic subfoveal choroidal neovascularization was observed in fluorescein angiography. The photodynamic therapy raised the visual acuity from 37 letters to 62 letters at the first month follow-up visit. The membrane showed no sign of leakage at the control fluorescein angiography performed at the 3rd month and visual acuity remained the same. CONCLUSION: The etiology of choroidal neovascularization has been subject to debate for many years. This case supports the suspects on the triggering effect of cataract surgery.