Cataract-Induced Glaucoma: Phacolytic/Phacomorphic

Lens-related glaucoma arises from a variety of pathophysiologic mechanisms. These include phacolytic glaucoma, phacomorphic glaucoma, phacoanaphylaxis, and lens particle glaucoma. Phacomorphic glaucoma and lens dislocation involve an angle-closure mechanism while the other forms are secondary open-angle glaucomas. While the clinical presentations of each disorder may overlap, the choice of appropriate therapy is aided by accurate diagnosis. Both phacolytic and phacomorphic glaucoma are secondary to mature cataracts, and these diseases present typically in patients in their sixth decade or older. A prospective study at an eye hospital in Nepal found that 1.5% of cataracts that presented in 1998 had phacolytic or phacomorphic glaucoma with 72% phacomorphic and 28% phacolytic glaucoma.