Exfoliation
syndrome is characterized clinically by the presence of small, grayish deposits
of fibrillar-granular exfoliation material within the anterior segment of the
eye. These are most commonly seen
on the pupillary border and anterior lens capsule, but are also found on the
cornea, trabecular meshwork, zonules, and ciliary body. Early in the course of the disease, the
clinical features of the disease may be subtle and difficult to detect. Other
than the presence of exfoliation material itself, these findings include
increased heterogeneous trabecular pigmentation, pigment deposition on the iris
surface, pupillary sphincter transillumination defects, and pupillary ruff
atrophy. The preclinical and clinical features of exfoliation syndrome will be
presented and discussed.