Aphakia is the absence of the lens of the eye, due to surgical removal, such as in cataract surgery, a perforating wound or ulcer, or congenital anomaly. It causes a loss of ability to maintain focus (accommodation), high degree of farsightedness (hyperopia), and a deep anterior chamber. Complications include detachment of the vitreous or retina, and glaucoma. Babies are rarely born with aphakia. Occurrence most often results from surgery to remove a congenital cataract. Congenital cataracts usually develop as a result of infection of the fetus or genetic reasons. It is often difficult to identify the exact cause of these cataracts, especially if only one eye is affected. People with aphakia have relatively small pupils and their pupils dilate to a lesser degree.

Causes

Surgical removal of a lens, mainly in cataract surgery, is the most common cause of aphakia. Spontaneous traumatic absorption or congenital absence of lens matter is rare. Traumatic subluxation or dislocation of a lens may cause it.

Signs and symptoms

Complications

Main complications of surgical aphakia include:

Treatment

Aphakia can be corrected by wearing glasses or contact lenses, by artificial lens implantation, or by refractive corneal surgeries. Eyes with artificial lenses are described as "pseudophakic".

Etymology

From Ancient Greek a-, privative prefix + phakós, lentil, anything shaped like a lentil, e.g. a lens, via New Latin.