​

Intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation occurs when the IOL moves from its normal central position behind the pupil. An intraocular lens implant is usually placed in the eye after cataract surgery and may occasionally become dislocated. Vision may be blurry, double and even reduced to legal blindness. The good news for patients is in most cases it can be readily treated with surgery.

​

Diagnosis

​

During an examination a dislocated IOL can be quickly identified by examining the front of the eye with a microscope. During the examination, we will be looking for signs of the absence of the lens when examining the front part of the eye, viewing the edge of the lens in the slit lamp or seeing the lens at the back of the eye.

​

Treatment

​

Dislocated IOL is treated by moving the lens back into the correct position, replacing the lens entirely or sewing a lens in place. In most cases the gel in the back of the eye, or vitreous, must be removed in part through the surgical process called “vitrectomy”. Once the lens is free of the vitreous gel it can be moved more safely and repositioned or replaced.