Lens dislocation following trauma sustained 40 years ago during cataract surgery pre-assessment

To report a case of spontaneous lens dislocation following pupillary dilatation during preoperative assessment for cataract surgery.

Our patient had been punched on the left side of the face 40 years ago but throughout this period the patient's vision had remained normal and ophthalmic evaluation by opticians had also been normal on multiple visits. He was referred to our clinic for cataract assessment. Detailed ophthalmic evaluation, including pupillary dilatation with fundus evaluation,had revealed no evidence of anterior or posterior segment trauma.

He presented 1 week later with lens dislocation. The dislocated lens was successfully removed.

We recommend that caution be exercised (even in the presence of normal ophthalmic evaluation) when dilating patients with an apparently trivial/or old history of trauma to the face.