The Dedicated Ophthalmology Referral Practice

The only successful treatment of a dislocated lens is surgical

Dislocated lenses are found in all terrier breeds, some crossbreds and sometimes in other breeds. They are most frequently seen at about 4-5 years of age and are due to an inherited zonular defect. Lens luxation is a bilateral disease and in almost 100% of cases the second eye is affected within twelve months of initial presentation.

If you are presented with a painful eye, a red eye or a grey cornea your first thought must be a dislocated lens, especially in susceptible breeds. Early referral is essential if the patient's sight is to be saved as total vision loss can occur within 48 hours of the acute anterior dislocation.

The treatment is surgical removal of the lens either by traditional intra capsular lendectomy (ICL) or by phacoemulsification, the latter technique being significantly less damaging to the eye as it requires a much smaller incision.

Sadly, a high proportion of patients are only referred two or more weeks after the eye has failed to respond to a topical steroid! By this time it is very often difficult to save the eye. If in doubt, please give us a ring.