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Lens Dislocation
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Lens dislocation is a condition that can happen to your eye’s natural lens, or it can happen to your synthetic lens implant after you’ve had cataract surgery or a refractive lens exchange. The good news is that there are successful treatments for a dislocated lens. The eye doctors at Gulfcoast Eye Care in Tampa Bay are experienced in treating lens dislocation.
The lens of your eye is a clear disk located right behind your pupil. It helps you see clearly by focusing light onto your retina.
Your lens is held in place by delicate fibers called zonules. If you’ve had an eye lens replacement for cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange, your intraocular lens implant (IOL) is held in place by a small sac and these thin fibers. Your lens can become dislocated if some or all of the sac or the delicate fibers break.
Causes of lens dislocation include:1,2
If you have had cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation, you can rest assured that the complication rate is very low. While cataract surgery has a high success rate, lens dislocation is a potential complication that can happen after cataract surgery, sometimes many years afterwards.3
Signs of lens dislocation include:1,4
In some cases, a partially dislocated lens does not cause any symptoms and might be discovered during a routine eye exam.4
Lens dislocation may lead to other complications, such as a detached retina, bleeding, inflammation or glaucoma.1 So if you are having symptoms, make a prompt appointment for an eye check.
If your lens dislocation is minimal and is not impacting your vision, no treatment may be needed.1 You will likely need regular follow-up visits to make sure the lens dislocation isn’t getting worse.2
If your vision is affected and you are having symptoms, your lens dislocation may be corrected with surgery. At Gulfcoast Eye Care, Dr. Michael Manning uses several different techniques and will choose the one most appropriate for you, based on your situation and the anatomy of your eye.
In some cases of IOL dislocation, Dr. Manning may be able to preserve and reposition your IOL in a more stable location. He also may remove your IOL and insert a new one.
To learn more about how we can help with lens dislocation and to schedule a consultation, please contact Gulfcoast Eye Care today.
References:
1American Society of Retina Specialists. Intraocular Lens Dislocation. Available at: https://www.asrs.org/patients/retinal-diseases/27/intraocular-lens-dislocation. Accessed September 20, 2019.
2Soh YQ, Ting, DSW, Wong EYM. Diagnosis and Management of Posteriorly Dislocated Lenses. American Academy of Ophthalmology, EyeNet Magazine. October 2017:37-39.
3Mamalis N. Intraocular lens dislocation. Jrl Cat Refr Surg. 2013:39(7)973-974.
4Harvard Medical School. Dislocated Lens. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/dislocated-lens-a-to-z. Accessed September 20, 2019.
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