PURPOSE: To report calcification of the capsule surrounding alloplastic orbital implants and postulate this calcification as a possible cause of poor implant motility.

DESIGN: Interventional case reports.

METHODS: Two patients with alloplastic spherical implants after enucleation presented with poor implant motility. Both patients underwent orbital implant exchange with a quasi-integrated porous polyethylene orbital implant.

RESULTS: During removal of the original alloplastic orbital implant, a hard, thick shell adherent to the surrounding orbital tissues was encountered. After complete excision of the shell, microscopic evaluation confirmed a dense, fibrous capsule with calcification. No evidence of inflammation or malignancy was associated with either capsule. Postoperatively, both patients had significant improvement in motility of their new orbital implant.

CONCLUSIONS: Although calcification of the fibrous capsule surrounding alloplastic orbital implants is an unusual finding, it may result in poor implant motility. Capsule excision and implant exchange may significantly improve the motility of the orbital implant.