The exfoliation syndrome: source of the fibrillar material on the capsule.

A clinical case of unilateral capsular exfoliation syndrome was observed in the previously traumatized eye of a 22-year-old man with a drawn-down pupil. The distribution of material correspond to the folds of the inner surface of contiguous iris. The periphery of the lens appeared free of deposits. These findings contradict previous theories on the source of the fibrillar material from the lens epithelium and indicate that it is derived from the iris pigment epithelium and not from within the lens capsule, although there is no question but that the lens is involved in a similar process, the products of which probably do not reach the lens surface. The unilateral occurrence of the exfoliation syndrome in a traumatized eye of a 22-year-old man is unique and cannot be explained at this time.