SPONTANEOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF ELSCHNIG PEARLS AFTER NEODYMIUM-YAG LASER POSTERIOR CAPSULOTOMY

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) from Elschnig pearl formation is a common complication of extracapsular cataract extraction. After PCO treatment by neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy, Elsc hnig pearls may undergo hyperproliferation at the edge of the capsulot omy, which may close it. We have seen six eyes in five patients who pr esented with spontaneous disappearance of Elschnig pearls, resulting i n a perfectly clear posterior capsule several years after an Nd:YAG po sterior capsulotomy. Possible causes include (1) falling of pearls int o the vitreous through the capsulotomy; (2) phagocytosis of pearls by macrophages; (3) cell death by apoptosis.