Contact of the membrane with the cornea usually causes irritation of the eye, giving a clinical appearance of mild iridocyclitis. Edema of the corneal stroma and overlying epithelium results from aqueous penetrating the disturbed endothelium; if corneal guttata is present, permanent opacification may result.
Reference: Reese A. Herniation of the anterior hyaloid membrane following uncomplicated cataract extraction. Arch Ophthalmol. 1950;43:938.