Cause of intraocular lens removal.

To determine the rates of and reasons for removal of intraocular lenses (IOLs) during the first 6 years of implant surgery at Halifax Infirmary Hospital, we reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent primary cataract extraction with IOL implantation and subsequent removal of the IOL between 1980 and 1985. Among 2482 patients 21 cases of secondary explanation (0.8%) were identified. Of the 21 IOLs 20 were anterior chamber lenses and 1 was a posterior chamber lens. The most frequent causes of IOL removal were suspected bacterial endophthalmitis, excessive lens movement due to poor fit and traumatic dislocation of the lens.