Suture refixation and recentration of a subluxated capsular tension ring-capsular bag-intraocular lens complex

Novel trocar assisted intraocular lens and capsular bag complex fixation

PURPOSE

To describe the innovative technique of trocar-assisted intraocular lens (IOL) and capsular bag complex fixation.

METHODS

In this technique, initial pupil dilatation is achieved either with intracameral adrenaline or with the help of iris hooks. Automated anterior vitrectomy is performed in cases with vitreous prolapse. A 25 G trocar cannula is placed at the limbus through a paracentesis opposite the zonular dialysis area. The cannula lumen act as a guide to pass the double-arm polypropylene suture attached to the needle. This prevents any inadvertent corneal injury and acts as a perpendicular tract to pass the needle through IOL capsular bag complex.

RESULTS

We performed this technique in 9 cases with an excellent outcome with a minimum of 3 months of follow-up. All patients had well-centred IOL. There was no incidence of corneal injury, Descemet membrane detachment, iris trauma, IOL tilt, decentration, dislocation, vitreous prolapse or retinal detachment. All patients achieved excellent visual acuity ranging from 6/12-6/6 postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

The novel trocar-assisted IOL bag complex fixation technique is very effective and allows smooth IOL fixation in technically challenging cases with IOL subluxation. The trocar acts as a guide to prevent injury to the surrounding tissue, and IOL fixation is achieved with minimal manipulations in the anterior chamber. It also prevents the need for IOL explantation in these cases.

Long-Term Suture Breakage After Scleral Fixation of a Modified Capsular Tension Ring with Polypropylene 10-0 Suture

Aim

To investigate the long-term risk of suture breakage after implantation of a modified capsular tension ring (MCTR) fixated to the sclera with polypropylene 10–0 suture.

Methods

Retrospective case series of operations for subluxated phakic lenses in 2007–2015 with implantation of an MCTR secured with a 10–0 polypropylene suture as part of an intraocular lens (IOL)-capsular bag complex.

Results

We identified 132 eyes (92 patients) operated on with an MCTR. Of these eyes, 26 (20%) had suture breakage requiring re-operation, while another eight eyes (6%) had suture breakage that did not require surgery. The re-operations occurred after a mean 4.8±3.3 years. Suture breakage occurred in patients with a mean age of 34.0±23.3, as compared to 43.2±26.0 years for patients who did not experience this complication (p=0.36). In patients aged 40 years or younger at the time of surgery, 47% experienced suture breakage in one or both eyes, as compared to 19% in the age group 41–69 years and 13% in the age group 70 years and older (p=0.004). Of the 132 eyes that were operated on, we registered one case (0.8%) of possible suture-related late endophthalmitis.

Conclusion

The long-term risk of suture breakage was quite high after scleral fixation of the MCTR in this patient cohort, and it seems as the risk is increased with young age.

Trans-iris fixation of dislocated in-the-bag intraocular lenses

Purpose:

The aim of this article is to describe the safety and efficacy of trans-iris suture fixation for the management of late dislocation of in-the-capsular-bag intraocular lenses following uncomplicated cataract surgery.

Patients and methods:

Eleven eyes of 11 patients with late in-the-capsular-bag intraocular lens dislocation following uneventful phacoemulsification cataract surgery were recruited in the study. The dislocated intraocular lens–capsular bag complex was sutured to the iris at two points 180° apart using 9-0 polypropylene sutures on long needles.

Results:

Mean patient age was 67 ± 6 years. Seven eyes had pseudoexfoliation syndrome, one eye had Marfan syndrome, and another eye had a traumatic cataract; no risk factor was identified for intraocular lens dislocation in two eyes. A capsular tension ring had been implanted during cataract surgery in four eyes. In six eyes, the posterior chamber intraocular lenses were one-piece foldable while the remaining were three-piece intraocular lenses. Compared to the preoperative value, corrected distance visual acuity was significantly improved postoperatively ( p < 0.005). Intraoperative hyphema occurred in two eyes. Pupil ovalization was observed in all eyes. Mean endothelial cell count decreased by 4 ± 1.7% after intraocular lens fixation. The capsular bag–intraocular lens complex was stable and well-centered in the pupillary area in all eyes at the final follow-up examination which was performed 16 ± 4 months postoperatively.

Conclusion:

Trans-iris fixation is a simple and effective procedure for management of late intraocular lenses–capsular bag complex dislocation, without major complications.

Management of subluxated capsular bag-fixated intraocular lenses using a capsular anchor

We describe the use of the capsular anchor (AssiAnchor) to manage a subluxated intraocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag. The anchor comprises 2 prongs that hold the anterior lens capsule and a central rod that is sutured to the scleral wall, enabling centration of the IOL-capsular bag complex. Six pseudophakic patients presenting with subluxated posterior chamber IOLs in the capsular bag were operated on using the device. The anchor was used successfully in all cases, although in 2 cases only 1 prong was placed under the capsulorhexis edge. In 1 eye, 2 anchors were used 1 month apart following repeated traumatic zonular injury. The capsular bag holding the IOL remained centered and stable throughout the follow-up period. The anchoring device, which was originally designed to preserve the lens capsule and stabilize subluxated crystalline lenses, can also be used to treat subluxation of a capsular bag-fixated IOL.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Dr. Assia is the inventor of the AssiAnchor, has a licensed patent of the anchor, and is consultant to Hanita Lenses. Dr. Lapid-Gortzak is a consultant to and speaker for Alcon Surgical, Inc., Hanita Lenses, Orca Surgical, and Sanoculis Ltd.; a speaker for Santen; and a consultant to Icon. Drs. Ton and Naftali have no financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Surgical technique for management of isolated lenticular coloboma with high corneal astigmatism

We describe a surgical technique for the correction of isolated congenital lenticular coloboma associated with high corneal astigmatism. Transscleral fixation of the capsular bag with a single eyelet Cionni capsular tension ring was followed by in-the-bag implantation of a toric intraocular lens (IOL). This lead to complete correction of the lenticular defect and perfect alignment of the toric lens. In this case, the child attained an unaided distance visual acuity of 20/30 following amblyopia therapy and a well-aligned toric IOL at 12 months of follow-up. This technique can be used in cases with concomitant lenticular coloboma and significant corneal astigmatism.

Transscleral fixation of single-piece foldable acrylic lens with eyelets at the optic-haptic junction

OBJECTIVE

To report the clinical outcomes of transscleral fixation using a single-piece foldable acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with eyelets at the optic-haptic junction (enVista; Bausch & Lomb).

DESIGN

Retrospective, noncomparative case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Sixty eyes of 60 patients who underwent transscleral fixation with an enVista IOL were reviewed.

METHODS

Preoperative patient status, postoperative visual and refractive outcomes, and postoperative complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

The study included 60 eyes of 60 patients (52 males, 8 females) with a mean age of 56.65 ± 15.57 years. At final follow-up visit, the mean follow-up was 11.40 ± 4.24 months. The mean uncorrected visual acuity (logMAR) improved from 1.95 ± 0.90 to 0.85 ± 0.77 (p < 0.001), and best corrected visual acuity (logMAR) improved from 1.11 ± 1.13 to 0.64 ± 0.70 (p = 0.006). The mean spherical equivalent improved significantly from 6.90 ± 6.10 to 0.21 ± 2.10 D postoperatively (p < 0.001). Complications included transient ocular hypertension (15%), transient hypotony (7%), and hyphema (5%), but no serious complications were observed. In all cases, the IOL remained stable and well centred.

CONCLUSIONS

Transscleral fixation using a foldable acrylic IOL with eyelets at the optic-haptic junction can be a safe and effective alternative technique to manage cases with broken capsular bag or weak zonular support.