Pigment Dispersion Syndrome

PIGMENT DISPERSION SYNDROME It appears that a common denominator Once diagnosed, have regular eye in all patients diagnosed with PDS is checks with an ophthalmic optician. The Pigment Dispersion Syndrome is usually myopia (short-sightedness). There may eye checks will be free in the UK as the detected during routine eye examinations. be other common factors, as yet overall risk of getting glaucoma has An early indication that PDS is present is undiscovered, that link those diagnosed increased. Just tell them that you’re the observation of a Krukenberg’s Spindle with this syndrome. entitled to a free eye test (reason: in the eye. glaucoma risk) when you make the appointment. PDS occurs when flakes of the coloured KRUKENBERG’S SPINDLE part of the eye, the iris, detach from the Try to avoid excessive exercise - the back of the iris and float freely in the liquid Krukenberg’s Spindle is named after friction will cause more pigment to of the eye (the aqueous humor). This, in Friedrich Ernst Krukenberg (1871- break off. Don’t over-use your eyes. itself, wouldn’t cause problems; however, 1946), a German gynaecologist and if these flakes make their way to the pathologist, who specialised in If you start to experience frequent pain drainage channel in the eye, they can block Opthalmology. He was a fellow of the behind the eye/s, see an opthalmic or damage the meshwork covering the German Opthalmologist Karl Theodor optician as soon as you can, or go to channel and cause the pressure (the IOP, Paul Polykarpus Axenfeld (1867-1930). the nearest hospital to get the IOP’s or intra-ocular pressure) to rise, damaging Krukenberg’s Spindle is also referred (intra-ocular pressure) measured. the optic nerve. This can lead to to as Axenfeld-Krukenberg Spindle. High pressure in the eye can damage Pigmentary Glaucoma. the optic nerve.

Not everyone with PDS will get Pigmentary KS is a spindle-shaped, vertical deposit If the eye pressure has increased, you Glaucoma. Regular eye examinations and of chocolate-brown coloured pigment in may be prescribed eye drops to take medication can prevent the onset of the cornea of the eye, created by flakes each evening. Glaucoma. Eye drops such as Latanoprost of pigment rubbed off the back of the (Xalatan) used once a day (usually at night) iris (see page to left). Other treatment available, if the eye are prescribed to lower the pressure in the drops don’t work: eye. Laser treatment to break up the larger If you have been diagnosed with KS or particles of loose pigmentation can prevent PDS, you’ve got it for life. However, to Laser treatment (Trabeculoplasty). the drainage channel becoming blocked avoid heightening the risk of getting This is done in the same manner as having an eye examination. Drops are and/or the IOP rising. An operation to create Pigmentary Glaucoma, there are put into the eye to shrink the pupil a new drainage channel is also available. things that can be done. size. The laser is a very thin beam of light that ‘zaps’ the meshwork, It seems unclear as to why PDS occurs in The first thing to remember is DON’T creating a hole through which the fluid Some people and not others. Some schools PANIC!! It’s scary when you first find can escape. The zaps can be felt slightly, of thought believe that PDS is genetic, out, and the main word that sticks in and cause mild discomfort at the time. passed on through a faulty gene(s). your head is glaucoma. There is a The procedure takes around 10 minutes. Others believe that it is the shape of the chance that you will never get glaucoma After the operation you may be given iris itself. - all you are doing by worrying about it antibiotic eye drops for a short while is increasing your blood pressure! to avoid infection from occurring. 2 3 4

Further information can be found by Krukenberg’s Spindle going online at: www.krukenbergs-spindle.co.uk and PDS (Pigment Dispersion Syndrome) There is a chat room available and a message board for those diagnosed to post their experiences for others.

Also links available to medical sites for further research.

Basic information/guidelines for people diagnosed with Pigment Dispersion Syndrome.

Information supplied from a website designed by a patient diagnosed with PDS to help others with the condition. It is not authorised by any medical body or institution.