Intraocular lens exchange with removal of the optic only

Direct Intraocular Lens Extraction Using a Newly Developed Lens-Grabbing Forceps

Background: Due to lower age thresholds for cataract surgery and increased longevity, cases with intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation requiring removal have increased. Traditional methods, such as cutting or folding the IOL within the eye, pose a high risk of complications, including corneal endothelial and iris damage. Methods: We developed a new minimally invasive technique for direct IOL removal using specially designed lens-grabbing forceps. These forceps can grasp and remove the IOL through a small incision in a single motion, significantly reducing intraocular manipulations compared to conventional methods. Results: In our test cases, IOL removal through a 2.2 mm corneal incision was completed in approximately 95 s, with minimal incision enlargement (about 0.16 mm) and a slight decrease in corneal endothelial cells. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that this technique is minimally invasive and safe for IOL removal, offering a promising alternative to existing methods.

Visual outcomes after optic exchange of a modular intraocular lens

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effectiveness of the Harmoni Modular IOL (HMIOL).

SETTING

3 study sites.

DESIGN

Prospective, multicenter clinical study.

METHODS

HMIOL is a foldable, posterior chamber lens with separate base and exchangeable optic components. Eligible adults undergoing cataract surgery received HMIOL in the study eye (monovision target -1.50 diopters [D]) and standard monofocal IOL in contralateral eye (control). After 3 months, subjects could undergo optic exchange based on visual outcomes. End points included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and manifest refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE). Follow-up was 12 months or greater postoperatively.

RESULTS

114 subjects had successful HMIOL implantation in study eye and control IOL in contralateral eye. At 3 months, subjects could undergo optic exchange if unsatisfied with monovision; 65 eyes had optic exchange (exchange cohort), and 49 eyes had no exchange (no exchange cohort). In exchange cohort, the proportion of eyes with UDVA of 20/40 or greater and of 20/20 or greater increased 3 months after optic exchange vs preexchange levels by 23% (97% vs 74%) and 40% (49% vs 9%), respectively. In all cohorts, 95% of subjects or greater achieved UDVA of 20/40 or greater after 12 months or greater. Control and no exchange cohorts achieved CDVA of 20/40 or greater by 3 months; 97% of eyes or greater had CDVA of 20/40 or greater at 12 months after optic exchange. In exchange cohort, the proportion of eyes with MRSE within ±0.50 D and ±1.00 D of target changed by 57% and 36%, respectively, from preexchange (20% and 59%, respectively) to 12 months postexchange (77% and 95%, respectively), reaching levels similar to control subjects (72% and 97%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

HMIOL provided visual outcomes comparable with standard monofocal IOLs.

[Justification for the use of modular intraocular lens (experimental study)]

The rising number of cases requiring intraocular lens (IOL) exchange, including those for refractive reasons, drives the search for methods to minimize the trauma of the procedure. Lens implants with modular optics may lower complication risks.

PURPOSE

To test the use of modular IOL on a laboratory animal in an experiment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A novel modular IOL was implanted into rabbit eyes in disjointed form with subsequent intraocular assembling. Presence of long-term side effects of implantation and possibility of atraumatic optical disk exchange were evaluated 4 months after the surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 3 rabbit eyes underwent IOL implantation surgery, no technical difficulties were encountered. Postoperatively two eyes were quiet with proper central IOL position and no deformations in the haptic and optical parts. Epithelial cell proliferations did not hinder intraocular disassembly/assembly of the modular IOL. Optical disk spontaneously dislocated into anterior chamber in one eye, with subsequent chronic inflammation and corneal edema. In the late postoperative period, no difficulties were observed in disconnecting the optical part from the haptic ring and their coupling. Optical disk exchange did not require extensive handling of the haptic, except that of fixation leaflets during release/capture of the optics. Mechanical impact of the procedure on the lens capsule and Zinn's zonule fibers was minimal.

CONCLUSION

The experiment has validated the functionality and feasibility of the modular IOL principle designed to lower the threshold for decisions on IOL exchange in postoperative correction of clinical refraction. In most cases, rabbit eyes were demonstrated to exhibit long-term stable fixation, relative ease and safety of optical disk exchange eliminating the need for traumatic capsular bag manipulations.

[Evolution of IOL exchange. Part 1. Development of methods for IOL exchange]

The review presents the history of development and improvement of methods for intraocular lens (IOL) exchange. Existing techniques of IOL exchange are comparatively analyzed.

Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Intraocular Lens Fragmentation: Low Energy Transection

PURPOSE

To describe a case of femtosecond laser-assisted hydrophobic intraocular lens transection.

METHODS

Case report.

RESULTS

Femtosecond laser-assisted transection of a one-piece acrylic hydrophobic intraocular lens for explantation via a small surgical incision was successfully performed with low energy parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

This case illustrates a novel and effective clinical application of the femtosecond laser. [J Refract Surg. 2017;33(9):646-648.].

Assessment of a new hydrophilic acrylic supplementary IOL for sulcus fixation in pseudophakic cadaver eyes

PurposeManagement of refractive errors after cataract surgery includes spectacles or contact lens, secondary laser vision correction, intraocular lens (IOL) exchange, or piggyback lens implantation. We evaluated for the first time a single-piece hydrophilic acrylic IOL designed for supplementary sulcus fixation in postmortem pseudophakic human eyes.MethodsPseudophakic human cadaver eyes were imaged by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to assess position of the primary IOL. Eyes were prepared as per the Miyake-Apple technique. The supplementary IOL (Medicontur A4 Addon IOL family) was then inserted into the ciliary sulcus. AS-OCT and photographs from anterior and posterior views were used to assess IOL centration, tilt, and interlenticular distance from the primary IOL.ResultsData were obtained from 12 eyes having primary IOLs of varying materials and designs in the bag and representing different sizes of eyes and severity of Soemmering's ring formation. The A4 Addon IOL was successfully inserted into the ciliary sulcus and was well centered in all cases. Four cases of tilt were observed on AS-OCT: three with mild tilt due to pre-existing zonular dehiscence, and one due to a localized area of Soemmering's ring formation. Interlenticular distance ranged from 0.34 to 1.24 mm and was not dependent on severity of Soemmering's ring or type of primary IOL.ConclusionsThe A4 Addon IOL was designed for sulcus fixation as a supplementary lens, with a large diameter, a square-shaped optic, four smooth loop haptics, and a convex-concave optical surface. It exhibited appropriate centration and interlenticular distance with different primary in-the-bag IOLs.

Intraocular lens exchange-removing the optic intact

Current practice for intraocular lens (IOL) exchange is to cut the optic of the posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) prior to removing it. Great care must be taken during this maneuver to avoid a posterior capsular tear. Removing the haptics from the fibrosed capsule can also be hazardous, as it may result in zonular stress and dehiscence. A technique is described for performing foldable (one-piece acrylic) IOL removal without cutting the optic. Careful visco-dissection of the haptics with a low viscosity ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) in the fibrosed peripheral capsular tunnel avoids zonular or capsular stress. Internal wound enlargement permits foldable IOL removal in one piece, whilst preserving a self-sealing sutureless corneal wound. This technique may enhance the safety and efficacy of foldable IOL exchange.

Piggybacking technique for vitreous protection during opacified intraocular lens exchange in eyes with an open posterior capsule

We describe a surgical technique for the safe exchange of opacified 1-piece IOLs in eyes that have had a neodymium:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. Initially, the opacified IOL is freed from the capsule adhesions using a dispersive ophthalmic viscosurgical device, which is also injected beneath the opacified IOL to protect the vitreous interface. The IOL is then brought into the anterior chamber. A new 3-piece clear IOL is injected before the opacified IOL is removed and is placed behind the opacified IOL, preventing the vitreous from prolapsing. The pupil is constricted pharmacologically, and the opacified IOL is removed through a standard 2.75 mm corneal incision using the hinge technique.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Intraocular lens explantation technique for one-piece acrylic lenses

PURPOSE

To present a simple technique to remove a one-piece, acrylic AcrySof (Alcon Laboratories Inc) intraocular lens (IOL) via the original incision.

METHODS

The AcrySof IOL is removed via the original (2.75-mm) incision, without cutting or folding the IOL or widening the incision. After the IOL is viscodissected from the capsular bag and brought into the anterior chamber, toothed forceps hold the optic through the incision while the manipulator enters the side-port incision and hooks onto the optic 180° away.

RESULTS

With the forceps pulling and the lens manipulator pushing the IOL toward the incision, the IOL will fold and be delivered.

CONCLUSIONS

A one-piece, acrylic (Acrysof) IOL can be removed without cutting or folding the lens and without widening the original 2.75-mm incision.

Intraocular lens exchange through a 3.2-mm corneal incision for opacified intraocular lenses

Aim:

The aim was to evaluate visual and refractive results and complications of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange through a 3.2 mm corneal incision for opacified IOLs.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective study comprised 33 eyes of 32 patients with IOL opacification requiring an IOL exchange between July 2003 and March 2007. Exchange surgery was performed through a 3.2-mm temporal clear corneal incision followed by implantation of a new foldable hydrophobic IOL. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), topographical astigmatism, and refractive cylinder were evaluated. Surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) was calculated and complications were recorded.

Results:

Opacification was observed in 25 eyes (76%) with Aqua-Sense, 3 eyes (9%) with Hydroview, 3 eyes (9%) with MemoryLens IOLs, and 2 eyes (6%) with DgR. The mean follow-up period was 36.54 months. An uneventful IOL exchange was achieved in 18 eyes (55%). Zonular dehiscence occurred in 9 eyes (27%), and posterior capsule tear developed in 4 eyes (12%). The mean preoperative BSCVA (mean ± standard deviation, decimal scale) was 0.13 ± 0.08 (mean: 20/150, range 20/2000 to 20/60) and improved to 0.63 ± 0.18 (mean: 20/32, range 20/60 to 20/20, P < 0.001). The mean SIA was 0.70 D. Seven eyes (21%) had 0.5 D or lower SIA.

Conclusion:

IOL exchange is a technically challenging procedure with potential risks of reversing the advantages of a prior small-incision cataract surgery. The use of a small corneal incision for IOL exchange could preserve the advantages of modern phacoemulsification surgery with acceptable SIA related to the procedure.