Late in-the-bag spontaneous intraocular lens dislocation: evaluation of 86 consecutive cases

As techniques for cataract surgery have evolved, spontaneous intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation has decreased overall. However, since 2006 the Intermountain Ocular Research Center has received an increased number of explanted IOLs within the capsular bag forwarded for pathologic evaluation. Late, spontaneous dislocation of IOLs results from zonular insufficiency and zonulysis that has been associated with pseudoexfoliation, trauma, and other risk factors. The findings of 86 consecutive cases of this complication, analyzed in the laboratory, are described.

Retrospective case series.

Eighty-six IOLs explanted within the capsular bag, submitted in formalin.

Standard light microscopy of specimens, as well as questionnaire sent to explanting surgeons and patient chart review, when available.

Lens design, material, and abnormalities; capsular bag anomalies; patient demographic data; surgical dates; and presence or absence of known risk factors.

This series included polymethyl methacrylate, silicone, and hydrophobic acrylic lenses, manufactured with both 1-piece and 3-piece designs. The mean time from surgery to spontaneous IOL dislocation was 8.5 years. The main conditions associated with the cases of IOL dislocation were as follows: pseudoexfoliation, 50%; prior vitreoretinal surgery, 19%; history of trauma, 6%; uveitis, 2%; and none or unknown, 23%.

Patients with any type of IOL are at risk for late in-the-bag dislocation. Pseudoexfoliation and vitreoretinal surgery were the most common associated conditions in this series. Regardless of the presence of known risk factors, IOLs dislocated on average 8.5 years after phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.