Persistent corneal epithelial defect after extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation

The appearance of a corneal epithelial defect in a healthy eye several weeks after extracapsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation is uncommon. Five patients are described who developed persistent epithelial defects between 1 and 6 weeks after uneventful surgery. One patient was treated successfully with an eye patch and artificial tears, another was managed with a therapeutic thin contact lens, and in three other patients the corneal defect healed after a temporary tarsorrhaphy. The etiology of the corneal epithelial defect in the authors' series may be multifactorial, but other possible causes of a corneal epithelial defect after cataract extraction are also discussed.