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Case Reports
. 2026 Mar:131:110736.
doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2026.110736. Epub 2026 Jan 27.

I saw the floating lens sign

Affiliations
Case Reports

I saw the floating lens sign

Kathleen M Kilroe et al. Clin Imaging. 2026 Mar.

Abstract

The floating lens sign describes the radiologic appearance of a completely dislocated crystalline (native) lens or intraocular lens (IOL) on computed tomography imaging. It is visualized as a biconvex, hyperdense structure lying freely within the posterior vitreous cavity in the case of a native lens, and as a linear, hyperdense structure in the case of an IOL. This finding reflects complete zonular and/or capsular disruption, most commonly due to blunt ocular trauma, but it may also occur in patients with connective tissue disorders or advanced hypermature cataracts. Recognizing this sign is important for timely diagnosis of lens dislocation, particularly when physical examination is limited by trauma or preexisting ocular pathology. Prompt ophthalmologic evaluation is essential to prevent complications such as lens-induced glaucoma, uveitis, retinal detachment, and permanent visual loss.

Keywords: Floating lens sign; Lens dislocation; Ocular trauma; Zonular disruption.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors have no financial or non-financial interests that could be perceived to influence the results or interpretation of this work.

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