Asymmetric pigmentary glaucoma resulting from cataract formation

Pigment dispersion syndrome usually manifests bilaterally, and asymmetric involvement is unusual. When asymmetry is present, the eye with greater involvement may have an additional exacerbating condition or the eye with less involvement may be protected. Analysis of such cases should further elucidate the mechanism of the disorder and its development and regression. We examined four patients in whom unilateral cataract formation or extraction was associated with reduced clinical signs of pigment dispersion syndrome in the affected eye. Cataract formation, by inducing relative pupillary block, appears to decrease or prevent the manifestation of pigment liberation.