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Growing population of cataract surgery patients makes late IOL dislocation a more common event
 Gunnar Jakobsson |
VIENNA, Austria — A growing population of pseudophakic patients with a longer lifespan is making surgery for late IOL dislocation an increasingly common procedure.
"Spontaneously dislocated IOLs have become almost an epidemic in the past 10 years," Gunnar Jakobsson, MD, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting here.
A prospective cohort study of 810 cataract patients followed for a decade at a university center in Sweden found a 0.6% IOL dislocation rate over 10 years. Data from the Swedish National Register show an annual incidence of late IOL dislocation of 0.05%. "Late dislocation might be more common in Sweden, because pseudoexfoliation, which is one of the main risk factors, has a high prevalence amongst Scandinavians," Dr. Jakobsson said.
Other risk factors are glaucoma, complicated cataract surgery and old age, followed by myopia, history of ocular trauma, previous vitreous surgery, retinitis pigmentosa and uveitis.
Late dislocation typically occurs 6 to 8 years after surgery, but it may occur earlier if complicated cataract surgery with zonular dehiscence or capsule rupture has been performed.
Surgical options depend on many factors, but IOL exchange is often not necessary. Lens repositioning with scleral sutures is the most commonly performed procedure, Dr. Jakobsson said. Vitrectomy might be necessary in some cases.
- Disclosure: Dr. Jakobsson has no relevant financial disclosures.