Glaukomflecken simply means glaucoma flecks. It is anterior subcapsular or capsular opacity of the lens associated with focal epithelial infarct from past acute angle closure glaucoma. Other name include Cataracta Disseminata subepithilias or Glaukomatosa Acuta.
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Signs and symptoms
The lens opacity can be visualized with a slit lamp and since the opacity occurs usually within the visual axis or pupillary aperture, visual impairment is a possibility. Since glaucomflecken is associated with acute angle-closure glaucoma, sign for the latter can be present such as shallow anterior chamber, closed angle, hypermetropia etc.
Cause
Lens Epithelial necrosis due to high pressure within the anterior chamber pushing against the iris overlying the lens epithelium resulting in mechanical damage or accumulation of toxin within the epithelium which resulted in epithelial necrosis and therefore anterior lens opacity.