Quantitative assessment of anterior chamber inflammation in patients with retained presumed intraocular cotton fiber after phacoemulsification.

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PURPOSE: To evaluate anterior chamber inflammation in eyes with retained presumed intraocular cotton fibers after small-incision cataract surgery. METHODS: Fourteen patients with retained presumed intraocular cotton fibers after phacoemulsification were evaluated for anterior chamber inflammation. The control group consisted of 15 patients with no postoperative intraocular cotton fibers. An aqueous flare meter was used to evaluate anterior chamber reaction 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month postoperatively. RESULTS: Retained cotton fibers were detected in the anterior chamber in 6 cases, and in the corneal incision site, extending into the anterior chamber, in 8 cases. The mean flare values at each postoperative visit were statistically similar between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Following cataract surgery, retained presumed intraocular cotton fibers did not cause any additional inflammation in the eye within the short term. In contrast to other intraocular foreign bodies, which may cause severe inflammation, retained intraocular cotton fibers seem to be well tolerated following cataract surgery.