Phagolytic uveitis is best described as:

• A. Cataract-induced inflammation due to normal leakage of lens proteins post cataract formation, usually mild, treated medically
• B. Severe inflammation due to rupture of lens capsule
• C. Uveitis caused by immune reaction to intraocular lens
• D. Uveitis caused by infection from the surgery

Answer: (A)

Phacolytic uveitis occurs when soluble lens proteins leak from a hypermature or leaky cataract into the anterior chamber and trigger a noninfectious inflammatory reaction. The lens proteins act as antigens, drawing inflammatory cells and macrophages to engulf the proteins, leading to a mild to moderate anterior uveitis. Because the inflammation is driven by protein leakage rather than infection, it typically responds to standard anti-inflammatory treatment, and the definitive fix is removal of the cataract to stop further leakage.

Rupture of the lens capsule would release lens material more directly and usually provoke a more severe inflammatory or immune response (phacoantigenic/phacogenic uveitis). Uveitis from an immune reaction to an intraocular lens is a distinct post‑implant problem, and infection after surgery points to endophthalmitis rather than a sterile protein-induced process.