Snowflake degeneration of intraocular lens in a case of discoid lupus erythematosus

Cataract surgeries with IOL implantation may present with delayed IOL related complications like loss of color, transparency, degenerations, surface deposits and opacification which may significantly affect vision. A 65 year old female patient presented to OPD with progressive painless diminution of vision in her right eye. Examination of right eye showed a rigid posterior chamber PMMA IOL and white crystalline changes in the lens optic with no associated posterior capsular opacification. These findings were indicative of snowflake degeneration of IOL with involvement of central lens optic and sparing of peripheral optic of PCIOL. Patient was a known case of discoid lupus erythematosus and was receiving treatment for 5 years. In our case we present a rare association between snowflake degeneration of PCIOL and DLE secondary to immune complex deposition. An in vivo assessment of this degenerated IOL may further clarify the association.