Incidence of dislocation of intraocular lenses and pseudophakodonesis 10 years after cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To estimate the incidence of early and late intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation and the frequency of pseudophakodonesis in a population-based cohort of cataract surgery cases. The patients were followed up from before to 10 years after surgery.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Eight hundred ten cataract surgery patients.

METHODS

A prospective population-based cohort of 810 cataract surgery patients with presenile or senile cataracts was examined before surgery. Ten years later, 289 (73%) of 395 survivors agreed to participate in an eye examination. In addition to a routine eye examination of the anterior and posterior segment, all eyes were assessed for pseudophakodonesis and significant dislocation of the IOL. The medical records were studied and information concerning previous postoperative surgical interventions such as IOL exchange or repositioning was noted. This information was also obtained from the records of the deceased patients and those unable or unwilling to participate. The material was analyzed statistically.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Previous IOL exchange or repositioning surgery, significant IOL dislocation, and degree of pseudophakodonesis.

RESULTS

Most patients (n = 795/810; 98%) underwent sutureless clear corneal phacoemulsification surgery with a 3.2-mm temporal incision. A foldable IOL was implanted, 95% of which were an Alcon MA60BM AcrySof (Alcon Inc, Fort Worth, TX). Approximately 40% of the patients had pseudoexfoliations (PEX). After a 10-year follow-up, 5 (0.6%) of the 800 patients at risk required surgery for a dislocated IOL. All of these patients were male, and in all cases, the dislocation was late and within the capsular bag. The cumulative incidence over 10 years was 1%. At the examination 10 years after surgery, 2 (0.7%) of 287 patients at risk had pronounced pseudophakodonesis and 4 (1.4%) had moderate pseudophakodonesis.

CONCLUSIONS

The 10-year cumulative incidence of dislocated IOLs needing surgical attention was low in this population-based cohort with a high frequency of PEX. Early dislocation did not occur in any of the patients. The risk of this complication in an individual patient seems to be low. Because of the large number of people with previous cataract surgery, dislocated IOLs may cause a relatively large public health care burden.