Which LIU type is caused by capsule rupture leading to intraocular inflammation?

Which LIU type is caused by capsule rupture leading to intraocular inflammation?

• A. Phascoplastic uveitis
• B. Phacoclastic uveitis
• C. Iris bombe
• D. Toxic anterior segment syndrome

Answer: (B)

In lens-induced uveitis, inflammation is driven by exposure of intraocular tissues to lens proteins. When the lens capsule ruptures, its contents spill into the anterior chamber, triggering a robust immune reaction known as phacoclastic uveitis. This mechanism is specifically about the capsule break allowing lens material to leak out and provoke intraocular inflammation, often after trauma or a surgical rupture. Phacoclastic uveitis tends to be more severe than other lens-related inflammations because whole lens material and proteins are released directly into the anterior chamber, provoking a strong inflammatory response with features like intense anterior chamber reaction, fibrin, and sometimes a hypopyon; glaucoma risk can be higher if angle structures are affected. Treatment centers on controlling inflammation with steroids and addressing the source by removing lens material when feasible. The other options don’t fit this mechanism: phacolytic uveitis involves leakage of soluble lens proteins through an intact but degenerate capsule, not rupture; iris bombe is caused by a pupillary block leading to forward bowing of the iris and shallowing of the anterior chamber; toxic anterior segment syndrome is a sterile postoperative inflammation due to toxins, not a reaction to leaked lens proteins.

In lens-induced uveitis, inflammation is driven by exposure of intraocular tissues to lens proteins. When the lens capsule ruptures, its contents spill into the anterior chamber, triggering a robust immune reaction known as phacoclastic uveitis. This mechanism is specifically about the capsule break allowing lens material to leak out and provoke intraocular inflammation, often after trauma or a surgical rupture.

Phacoclastic uveitis tends to be more severe than other lens-related inflammations because whole lens material and proteins are released directly into the anterior chamber, provoking a strong inflammatory response with features like intense anterior chamber reaction, fibrin, and sometimes a hypopyon; glaucoma risk can be higher if angle structures are affected. Treatment centers on controlling inflammation with steroids and addressing the source by removing lens material when feasible.

The other options don’t fit this mechanism: phacolytic uveitis involves leakage of soluble lens proteins through an intact but degenerate capsule, not rupture; iris bombe is caused by a pupillary block leading to forward bowing of the iris and shallowing of the anterior chamber; toxic anterior segment syndrome is a sterile postoperative inflammation due to toxins, not a reaction to leaked lens proteins.