Dislocated Lens Replacement

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Dislocated Lens Replacement

The lens of the eye is located behind the iris in the front part of the eye and focuses light onto the retina. It is an important part of the visual system allowing for clear vision. When the lens becomes dislocated, it can shift to the side, or fall to the back of the eye entirely, resulting in fluctuating, double, and/or blurry vision. This requires surgery to repair and restore vision. Dislocation can occur with the natural lens of the eye or with intraocular lens implants inserted during cataract surgery.

Risk Factors, Causes, & Symptoms

Risk factors for lens dislocation include any condition that can weaken the zonules, the delicate ring of fibers that suspend the lens in the front part of the eye. This includes pseudoexfoliation of the lens, prior retinal surgery, Marfan’s syndrome, or blunt trauma.

Treatments

If the dislocation is mild with good vision, patients can be observed with no additional intervention. In these instances, intervention may not be required if the dislocation does not progressively worsen. Despite good vision, some patients require surgical intervention due to secondary complications such as elevated eye pressure, uveitis or inflammation in the eye, and bleeding in the front or middle part of the eye.

Patients that require surgery are treated with pars plana vitrectomy surgery. The vitreous jelly in the middle part of the eye is removed surgically allowing for the dislocated lens to be removed from the eye, and a new intraocular lens is inserted and secured to the eye in a manner that is best for the both the individual patient and operating surgeon.