Creeping posterior synechiae following hyperopic iris-fixated phakic implants

A novel surgical approach for fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens of Rayner 620 H with Gore-Tex suture

PURPOSE

To report a novel surgical approach for the scleral fixation of the Rayner 620 H intraocular lens (IOL) with Gore-Tex suture and its outcomes at 6 months postoperatively.

METHODS

19 consecutive patients who underwent novel surgical approach for the scleral fixation of Rayner 620 H IOL with Gore-Tex suture at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between June 2020 and June 2021 were included. Data on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent, total astigmatism/axis, short-term and long-term complications, and corresponding management with a follow-up of 6 months were collected.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (11 men and 8 women) with a mean age of 62.7 ± 10.6 years were included. The median BCVA improved significantly from 0.90 ± 0.90 (Snellen 20/160) preoperatively to 0.20 ± 0.30 (Snellen 20/32) at postoperative 6 months follow-up (P < 0.001). The stratification of the accuracy of refractive outcomes was 53% of patients within ± 0.5 D and 84% of patients within ± 1.0 D of the refractive target. Corneal edema (n = 3, 16%) and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) (n = 4, 11%) were short-term complications. Long-term complications included increased IOP (n = 1, 5%), and macular edema (n = 1, 5%).

CONCLUSION

The novel surgical approach for scleral fixation of the Rayner 620 H IOL with Gore-Tex suture is a reasonable option for patients who need secondary IOL placement without adequate capsular support.

Implantation of an iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens for the correction of hyperopia: 15-year follow-up

PURPOSE

To assess the predictability, efficacy, stability, and safety of implantation of an Artisan iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens (IF-pIOL) for the correction of hyperopia with a follow-up of up to 15 years.

SETTING

Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.

METHODS

Patients operated by a single surgeon up to 2007 were identified, and data on refraction, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity, endothelial cell (EC) density, and complications were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 61 eyes (32 patients) were analysed. The mean spherical equivalent decreased from +6.43 ± 1.78 diopters (D) preimplantation to -0.22 ± 0.57 D at 1 year postimplantation and remained stable throughout follow-up. A stable CDVA with safety indices ranging from 0.91 to 1.10 and efficacy indices between 0.43 and 0.86 were observed. Follow-up time had a significant effect on EC density with an estimated annual decline of 58 cells/mm2 after IF-pIOL implantation. IF-pIOL explantation was performed in a 10 eyes (16.4%) after 8.13 ± 5.11 years. The main reason for IF-pIOL explantation was EC loss (4 eyes [6.6%]). Pigment dispersion was the most encountered complication, observed in 9 eyes (14.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Visual and refractive results after implantation of an IF-pIOL to correct hyperopia show favorable and stable results with long-term follow-up. Lifelong monitoring of EC counts is mandatory. Pigment dispersion might be a problem in hyperopic eyes implanted with an IF-pIOL; a shallower anterior chamber depth and a convex iris configuration might be predisposing factors.

Anterior Uveitis with Posterior Synechia and Iris Atrophy Following Implantation of a Phakic Intraocular Lens

Purpose

To describe a case with acute postoperative uveitis, posterior synechia and iris atrophy following iris-claw phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation.

Methods

A case report.

Results

A 26-year-old man with high myopia had implantation of a −14.0 diopter, foldable, iris-claw Artiflex (model 401) anterior chamber pIOL (Ophtec B.V.) in both eyes. On the third postoperative day, the patient had significant postoperative inflammation in the left eye and received topical steroids and mydriatic eye drops. On the fifth postoperative day, the right eye had a round pupil and centered pIOL, but the left eye had an atrophic iris and dilated pupil with significant posterior synechias over the inferior half of the pupil. Despite intensive topical steroid application, the synechias remained one year after surgery.

Conclusion

Severe uveitis with posterior synechia can occur after iris-claw pIOL implantation. We hypothesized that excessive iris tissue enclavation in the pIOLs haptics and large iridotomies may be an associated factor.

Severe pigment dispersion after iris-claw phakic intraocular lens implantation

A 23-year-old female patient presented 3 months after the implantation of an Artisan^® phakic intraocular lens with a severe depigmentation of the iris and peripheral anterior synechiae. Explantation of the intraocular lens and goniosynechialysis were performed. Eleven months after the explantation appearance of the iris significantly improved. There was no loss of lines of corrected distance visual acuity. Severe pigment dispersion after the implantation of an Artisan^® phakic intraocular lens may happen and may require explantation of the lens. Iris depigmentation may improve with time.