Retinal Conditions

Retained Lens Fragments

What are Retained Lens Fragments?

Retained lens fragments (RLF) can occur in up to one percent of patients who undergo cataract surgery. They are pieces of the cataract lens that remain in the eye following surgery.

Causes and Symptoms of Retained Lens Fragments

There are many reasons why patients may be predisposed to retained lens fragments. Sometimes the cataract is very advanced and hard to remove in its entirety. In other cases, the “bag” that the cataract rests in or the zonules that hold it in place can become damaged, and some pieces of the cataract lens can then float into the back of the eye.

Depending on the size and the type of the fragments, patients may experience various degrees of intraocular inflammation, corneal edema, intraocular pressure increase, macular edema, vitreous hemorrhage, or retinal tears or detachment.

Treatment of Retained Lens Fragments

Our physicians at Retina Consultants of Texas specialize in managing and treating retained lens fragments. Your treatment will depend on your specific case and could include:

  • Observation: In many cases, the fragments are small enough that they dissolve over time on their own. Our retina specialists may just observe these types of cases closely and monitor or treat any inflammation, intraocular pressure increase, or macular edema.
  • Medical Treatment: Inflammation may be treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops. Intraocular pressure can be managed with anti-inflammatory and glaucoma drops. macular edema can be treated with anti-inflammatory eye drops or with steroid injections around or into the eye.
  • Surgical Treatment: If the retained lens fragments are large or dense and/or the inflammation, intraocular pressure, and edema cannot be controlled medically, then surgical intervention may be necessary. A pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy can be done to remove the residual lens fragments and usually leads to improved inflammation and intraocular pressure. In some cases, medical therapy in the form of anti-inflammatory drops or injections may need to be continued even after surgery to address macular edema.