When the eye surgeon, the ophthalmologist, performs a cataract surgery, they place the intraocular lens inside the “capsular bag.” This capsular bag contains the cloudy natural lens; the cataract of the eye. The surgeon makes every attempt to uphold the reliability of the capsular bag so that the intraocular lens can be positioned correctly within it. The issue is that the capsular bag is very, very thin. It is actually only about the approximate thickness of a single red blood cell. It can sometimes rupture or break.
The capsular bag can actually become dislocated if it becomes weak or its fibers, or zonules, that hold it in place break. If this happens, it is known as zonular dialysis. If your client has this condition before they go into cataract surgery, they can be at risk of dislocation of the lens implant.
Whether or not the prior complication exists, the lens can still dislocate. This is especially true of one of the springy “arms” that holds the lens in place is positioned improperly inside the capsular bag or becomes malpositioned at a later date.
If a dislocation does happen, the cataract surgeon can ordinarily reposition it in a second procedure as was described a few days ago. Sometimes the lens has to be sewn into place; sometimes a completely different lens has to be implanted.
All you need to do is explain all of this to your clients and show them that you believe that With Age Comes Respect. Let them know that you are in their corner – and are there for them at all times.
