Management of ectopia lentis in a family with Marfan syndrome

How far is observation allowed in patients with ectopia lentis?

Surgical timing for ectopia lentis has not been well described until now. The purpose of this study is to find a benchmark as to how far observation would be allowed in children with ectopia lentis when they and their families are reluctant to go through surgery. Retrospective review was made on 15 consecutive patients (14 children and one adult) with ectopia lentis in both eyes, seen at a referral-based institution in 5 years from April 2008 to March 2013, to survey the reasons for continuing observation or deciding surgical intervention. The diagnoses were Marfan syndrome in six patients, familial ectopia lentis in six, and sporadic ectopia lentis in three. Observation was continued in nine patients with the age at the final visit, ranging from 4 to 17 (median 9) years, because six children had good visual acuity at both near and distant viewing with glasses, and three children had visual acuity of 0.4 at near viewing despites poor visual acuity at distant viewing with glasses. In contrast, lensectomy was determined in six patients (5 children and one adult) with the age at surgery, ranging from 4 to 36 (median 9) years, and the age at the final visit, ranging from 7 to 42 (median 11) years, mainly because of poor visual acuity at near and distant viewing. More specific causes for surgeries in five children were the optical axis to become aphakic due to the progression of ectopia in the course in two children, lens dislocation to the anterior chamber after blunt eye injury in one child, and difficulty in studying at school classes in two children. One adult patient developed cataract in ectopic lenses. Lensectomy, combined with anterior vitrectomy, was done from two limbal side ports with a 25-gauge infusion cannula and vitreous cutter. Two patients at the age of 16 and 36 years, additionally, underwent intraocular lens-suturing in both eyes. In conclusions, observation was continued in children with ectopia lentis who had good visual acuity at near viewing. The visual acuity at near viewing, 0.4 or better, would give a benchmark for continuing observation in children with ectopia lentis.

New Management Strategies for Ectopia Lentis

Ectopia lentis refers to displacement of the crystalline lens in the setting of various systemic and metabolic disorders. A literature review was conducted to investigate the management of non-traumatic ectopia lentis in the pediatric population, particularly focusing on surgical intervention. Both limbal and pars plana approaches for lensectomy are well established in the literature. Surgical options for intraocular lens implantation in pediatric eyes with ectopia lentis include anterior chamber intraocular lenses and iris-fixated or scleral-fixated posterior chamber intraocular lenses. Recently, the use of capsular tension rings has also been described with promising results. Visual rehabilitation and treatment of amblyopia are essential for patients within the amblyogenic age group following surgical intervention.

Marfan's syndrome: a refractive challenge for optometrists

We present an interesting case of a child with Marfan's syndrome with ectopia lentis, who was followed for five years. The changes in refractive and visual findings of this child during this period are discussed. The importance of careful oculo-visual examination and possible management options in such children are highlighted.

Surgical management of non-traumatic pediatric ectopia lentis: A case series and review of the literature

PURPOSE

To report a small series of pediatric patients with ectopia lentis that underwent limbal-approach lensectomy and vitrectomy and scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation and to review the literature on the topic of surgical management of ectopia lentis.

METHOD

A retrospective review of 13 eyes of seven patients that underwent lensectomy, vitrectomy, and scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation and a review of the ophthalmic literature.

RESULTS

In our series, the average age at surgery was 70.3 ± 13.8 months and the average length of follow-up was 23.8 ± 5.9 months. The mean pre-operative visual acuity was 0.86 ± 0.17 which improved to 0.23 ± 0.09 post-operatively (p < 0.001). No complications were encountered in our series. A review of the literature found that amblyopia was the biggest vision-limiting factor. In general, the literature suggested that a higher percentage of eyes that were left aphakic achieved better vision than those implanted with a scleral-fixated intraocular lens. However, there may be selection bias in that more eyes receiving an intraocular lens may have pre-existing amblyopia. The complication rates for lensectomy or scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation were low in the literature. In the latter group, suture breakage and resultant intraocular lens dislocation is a worrisome late complication.

CONCLUSION

Surgical intervention for ectopia lentis via vitrectomy techniques yields good result. In cases of unilateral aphakia or in settings where compliance with aphakic refractive correction is questionable and amblyopia is a constant threat, scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation is highly encouraged. However, long-term follow-up is required due to the risk of suture breakage and resultant intraocular lens dislocation over time.

Ectopia lentis as the presenting and primary feature in Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a multisystem connective tissue disorder with primary involvement of the ocular, cardiovascular, and skeletal systems. We report on eight patients, all presenting initially with bilateral ectopia lentis (EL) during early childhood. These individuals did not have systemic manifestations of MFS, and did not fulfill the revised Ghent diagnostic criteria. However, all patients had demonstratable, disease-causing missense mutations in the FBN1 gene. Based on molecular results, cardiovascular imaging was recommended and led to the identification of mild aortic root changes in seven of the eight patients. The remaining patient had mitral valve prolapse with a normal appearing thoracic aorta. The findings presented in this paper validate the necessity of FBN1 gene testing in all individuals presenting with isolated EL. As we observed, these individuals are at increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Furthermore, we also noted that the majority of our patient cohort's mutations occurred in the 5' portion of the FBN1 gene, and were found to affect highly conserved cysteine residues, which may indicate a possible genotype-phenotype correlation. We conclude that in patients with isolated features of EL, FBN1 mutation analysis is necessary to aid in providing prompt diagnosis, and to identify patients at risk for potentially life-threatening complications. Additionally, knowledge of the type and location of an FBN1 mutation may be useful in providing further clinical correlation regarding phenotypic progression and appropriate medical management.

Visual outcome of three generations in a Turkish family with Marfan syndrome

PURPOSE

The long-term outcome and postoperative visual acuity in a single family with ectopia lentis secondary to Marfan syndrome is presented.

METHODS

Thirteen family members, ages ranging from 3 to 47 years, were evaluated from 2006 to 2008. Ten members were found to have primary or secondary visual problems secondary to ectopia lentis.

RESULTS

Evaluation of 10 members with subluxated lenses in three generations showed that the leading cause of loss of vision (< 20/200) was amblyopia (n = 5), followed by surgical complications (n = 2) and retinal detachment (n = 1). Moderate amblyopia was observed in 8 additional eyes. Of those with long axial length (> 25 mm, n = 10), visual acuity ranged from 20/400 to 20/70 and no eyes tested better than 20/40. In eight eyes with an axial length of less than 25 mm, visual acuity ranged between counting fingers and 20/30. In this group, 50% had a visual outcome of 20/40 or better. Two eyes had no light perception and phthisis secondary to surgical complications. Of the 18 eyes in which axial length data were available, more eyes in the axial myopia group had unfavorable visual outcome (P = .04, Wilcoxon signed rank test).

CONCLUSION

Amblyopia due to delayed surgical intervention was the leading cause of visual loss in three generations of this family. Axial high myopia was more frequent in deeply amblyopic family members.

Functional and structural outcomes following lensectomy for ectopia lentis

PURPOSE

High refractive errors and optical aberrations reduce vision when the lens edge bisects the pupil. We studied outcomes of eyes with ectopia lentis following lensectomy.

METHODS

Charts of 11 consecutive patients with bilateral ectopia lentis who underwent lensectomy-anterior vitrectomy in at least one eye from 1985 to 2004 were reviewed. Eighteen eyes were operated. One eye was excluded due to short-term follow-up (<2 years).

RESULTS

Mean age at surgery was 7.7 years (2 to 17 years). Median follow-up after lensectomy was 10 years (range 2 to 16 years). Six eyes were followed for 6 to 10 years, and another six eyes were followed for 11 to 16 years. Patient diagnoses included Marfan syndrome (nine eyes), ectopia lentis et pupillae (three eyes), simple ectopia lentis (two eyes), homocystinuria (two eyes), and sporadic spherophakia (one eye). Preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ranged from 20/60 to light perception, and postoperative BCVA ranged from 20/20 to 20/100 (14 eyes were at least 20/30). Complications included posterior vitreous detachment (two eyes, 12%), glaucoma (one eye, 6%), transient ocular hypertension (one eye, 6%), wound dehiscence with iris incarceration (one eye, 6%), transient vitreous hemorrhage (one eye, 6%), and peripheral anterior synechiae (one eye, 6%). No retina detached.

CONCLUSIONS

Our cohort of patients with long-term follow-up shows that pars plana lensectomy can be successful in restoring vision when conservative measures fail.

Pars plana vitrectomy and sutured posterior chamber lens implantation

Transcleral suturing of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) was developed to extend the benefits of IOL visual rehabilitation to eyes lacking capsular support and to avoid the complications of closed loop interior chamber IOLs. Although most frequently implanted after complicated cataract surgery or penetrating keratoplasty, they are indicated in several situations following pars plana vitrectomy. The surgical techniques have evolved to minimize the risk of complications, but the surgery remains technically more demanding and time-consuming than insertion of a modern open loop anterior chamber IOL. No randomized trials have compared the relative risks of each lens type, which leaves surgeon preference as the major determinant of what lens is implanted. It is likely, however, that in eyes with extensive anterior chamber angle damage or large iris defects, sutured posterior chamber IOLs will remain the first choice for surgical rehabilitation.

Intraocular lens implantation in Marfan's syndrome

PURPOSE

To describe the results of the removal of ectopic lenses from patients with Marfan's syndrome using the scleral fixation method.

METHODS

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) were implanted in six eyes affected by lens dislocation (ectopia lentis) using either the scleral fixation method (five eyes) or a silicone IOL in the capsular bag (one eye). Mean patient age ranged from 8-11 years and follow-up ranged from 7-20 months.

RESULTS

Functional success was obtained in all eyes. Postoperative visual acuity was 20/20 to 20/40. One patient showed a dislocation of the IOL in the anterior chamber. In three eyes, an opacification of the posterior capsule was treated using an Nd:YAG laser.

CONCLUSION

Intraocular lens implantation using the scleral fixation technique is the first choice in patients with Marfan's syndrome because it reduces the complications of IOL decentration.

Sulcus fixation without capsular support in children

PURPOSE

To evaluate long-term follow-up in eyes of children who had sulcus fixation of an intraocular lens (IOL) without capsular support.

SETTING

St. Eriks Eye Hospital/Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 21 eyes of 13 children. Seven eyes had Marfan's syndrome, 7 essential lens dislocation, 2 perforation with lens injury, and 5 spherophakia. The IOL implantation was primary in 16 eyes and secondary in 5 eyes. Lensectomy was performed with a limbal approach. An IOL with holes in the haptics was sutured in the sulcus, with the knots buried in the scleral bed.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 5.8 years +/- 2.6 (SD). Follow-up ranged from 9 to 33 months. No complications occurred during surgery. In all cases after IOL implantation, best corrected visual acuity was equal to or better than preoperatively. After surgery, no opacification of the visual axis, secondary glaucoma, or retinal complication was recorded. Posterior synechia formation occurred in 4 eyes, and 4 had cells on the IOL surface in 2 eyes, the IOL optic subluxated into the anterior chamber with the haptics in place. Both cases were successfully treated with pilocarpine 4%.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that sulcus fixation of an IOL without capsular support is an option to correct aphakia in children.

Short-term results of scleral intraocular lens fixation in children

PURPOSE

To study the safety and efficacy of scleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation in children.

SETTING

A university practice.

METHODS

This retrospective review evaluated the results and complications in 6 consecutive eyes of 3 children who had anterior vitrectomy, with or without lensectomy, and scleral IOL fixation to correct ectopia lentis or aphakia.

RESULTS

At a mean follow-up of 17.3 months (range 13 to 21 months), all eyes had a stable and well-positioned posterior chamber IOL and good visual improvement. The only complication was asymptomatic pupillary capture of the IOL in 3 eyes. Reversal of the pupillary capture was achieved by pupil dilation with the patient in a supine position.

CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary results of scleral IOL fixation in children are encouraging. The procedure's application in well-selected cases can be considered. However, its long-term safety and efficacy must be further assessed through studies with larger sample sizes and a longer follow-up.

Vitreolensectomy in Marfan's syndrome

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of pars plana vitreolensectomy in the management of subluxed lenses associated with Marfan's syndrome and to assess the need for intraoperative retinal photocoagulation to prevent post-operative retinal detachment.

METHOD

A retrospective review was carried out of 40 eyes of patients with Marfan's syndrome who underwent pars plana vitreolensectomy for subluxed lenses.

RESULTS

All patients demonstrated stable or improved visual acuity following surgery with a low incidence of complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Pars plana vitreolensectomy is a safe and effective treatment for subluxed lenses in patients with Marfan's syndrome. It appears that intraoperative prophylactic laser treatment need only be applied to areas of lattice degeneration to limit the incidence of post-operative retinal detachment.