ABSTRACT

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is a common agerelateddisorder of the extracellularmatrix characterized by an excessive production and progressive accumulation of an abnormal fibrillar material throughout the anterior segment of the eye (105,131). PEXmay affect up to 30% of people over the age of 60 across the world and PEX is frequently associated with severe chronic secondary open-angle glaucoma and cataract. It is clinicallydiagnosedby seeingdandruff-likewhite flakes depositedon the structures that line the aqueoushumorbathed surfaces of the anterior segment, particularly the anterior lens surface and the pupillary border of the iris. The term PEX has been widely used for this entity, however, the process does not represent a true exfoliation of the lens capsule, like in infrared light-induced true lens exfoliation of its basement membrane.