Twenty years after an old perforating injury treated with lensectomy, a patient is noted to have a well-defined doughnut-shaped greyish-white ring lying behind the iris in the equatorial region, seen best on wide dilatation. Histologically it would consist of proliferated lens epithelium with retained cortical matter enclosed between the anterior and posterior lens capsules. What is this lesion called?
- A Elschnig pearl formation
- B Capsular tension ring
- C Soemmering ring ✓
- D Ring of Zinn-Haller
Correct answer: C. Soemmering ring
Explanation
After partial extracapsular extraction or perforating injury, remaining peripheral cortical fibres and proliferating lens epithelium become sealed between the apposed anterior and posterior capsules, forming the annular Soemmering ring in the equatorial region. Elschnig pearls are clusters of bladder cells seen in posterior capsule opacification behind the optic of an IOL, and the ring of Zinn-Haller is an arterial anastomosis around the optic nerve, unrelated to the lens.
Reference: Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.