pseudoexfoliation

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome is a common ocular finding, especially if you are of Scandinavian descent. With this condition, a flaky dandruff-like material forms on the surface of your lens/cataract.  This material rubs off over a lifetime and can cause glaucoma if the material “clogs the drain” inside your eye. This material also forms on the support strings that hold your lens in position behind your iris. These strings are called zonules, and surround the cataract/lens in a 360-degree ring like springs on a trampoline. With pseudoexfoliation syndrome, the flaky material weakens these springs. If the zonular springs break during surgery, the cataract can fall into the back of the eye and will require removal by a retina specialist (a second operation). We can detect pseudoexfoliation during a routine eye exam.