eMedicine Specialties > Ophthalmology > Lens

Ectopia Lentis: Follow-up

Author: Charles W Eifrig, MD, FACS, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine; Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Retina Associates of Orange County
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: May 13, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

  • Close follow-up care with a full ocular examination, including tonometry (intraocular pressure check) and dilated fundus examination, is important.

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

  • Topical drops may be necessary to lower the intraocular pressure or to help decrease inflammation.

Deterrence/Prevention

  • Early diagnosis of ectopia lentis with appropriate optical correction can prevent amblyopia.

Complications

  • The most common ocular complications of ectopia lentis include amblyopia, uveitis, glaucoma, and retinal detachment; appropriate treatment for these specific entities should be implemented.

Prognosis

  • Depending on the degree of lens dislocation, the age of onset, and its associated secondary complications, most patients do well.
  • Those patients who have trauma-associated ectopia lentis may have other more life-threatening complications (depending on the severity of the trauma).
  • Patients with heritable conditions associated with ectopia lentis may have other systemic complications.

Patient Education

  • Patients with ectopia lentis associated with a heritable condition need to be educated on the importance of following up with a primary care physician to rule out life-threatening disorders.
  • Safety glasses are advocated when risk of eye injury is possible.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • The gravity of ectopia lentis when associated with a heritable disorder must be recognized and referred to the primary care physician as soon as possible. The primary care doctor may not be aware of this clinical entity and its ramifications; thus, it is imperative for the ophthalmologist to ensure the appropriate workup for systemic conditions, such as Marfan syndrome or homocystinuria, has been completed.
  • Provide close follow-up care with an ocular examination documenting vision, intraocular pressure, degree of lens dislocation, and any retinal pathology (full dilated fundus examination).
 
Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous coauthor, David E Eifrig, MD, to the development and writing of this article.



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References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

ectopia lentis, dislocated lens, lens dislocation, luxated lens, subluxated lens, lens subluxation, lens displacement, malpositioned lens

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Charles W Eifrig, MD, FACS, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine; Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Retina Associates of Orange County
Charles W Eifrig, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Retina Specialists, and Retina Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Richard W Allinson, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Texas A&M University Health Science Center; Senior Staff Ophthalmologist, Scott and White Clinic
Richard W Allinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles
Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

J James Rowsey, MD, Former Director of Corneal Services, St Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute, Florida
J James Rowsey, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Medical Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Florida Medical Association, Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology, Sigma Xi, and Southern Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Lance L Brown, OD, MD, Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD, Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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