Glued intraocular lens scaffolding for Soemmerring ring removal in aphakia with posterior capsule defect

Decompensated cornea with epithelial and stromal edema

A 66-year-old patient underwent surgery for congenital cataract in both eyes in her first year of life without implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). In 1994, at the age of 39 years, both eyes received secondary Kelman multiflex-style angle-fixated anterior chamber IOLs (AC IOLs). The surgeries were followed by retinal detachments in both eyes, in the left eye in the same year and in the right eye 4 years later, which were successfully repaired. The patient presented with a decompensated cornea with epithelial and stromal edema in the left eye. The AC IOL axis was oriented from 5- to 8-o'clock position with the haptic contacting the cornea. The distal portion of the inferior-nasal haptic was deeply buried and entrapped in a broad iridocorneal synechia extending between 6- and 8-o'clock positions. The synechia also caused adjacent pupillary distortion and pigment leaf eversion (Figure 1JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202205000-00021/figure1/v/2022-04-22T173532Z/r/image-tiff). The AC IOL in the right eye was well positioned, and the cornea was clear with an endothelial cell count (ECC) of 2160 cells/mm2 and central corneal thickness (CCT) of 650 μm. No ECC was obtainable in the left eye, and CCT was 775 μm (Figure 2JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202205000-00021/figure2/v/2022-04-22T173532Z/r/image-tiff). Visual acuity was 0.8 corrected in the right eye and hand motion in the left eye. Both eyes were normotonic. On optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, a broad iridocorneal synechia was visible with a canal corresponding to the deeply buried haptic end of the AC IOL (Figure 3JOURNAL/jcrs/04.03/02158034-202205000-00021/figure3/v/2022-04-22T173532Z/r/image-tiff). Abundant condensed cortical material (Soemmerring's ring) was found behind the iris and above the ciliary body. What would be your surgical options to rehabilitate the patient's left eye considering corneal decompensation caused by haptic contact of an angle-fixated AC IOL and capture of 1 haptic within an iridocorneal synechia extending along 2 clock hours?

[Evolution of IOL exchange. Part 2. Modern problems of IOL exchange]

The review discusses modern problems of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange. Making an adequate choice between IOL reposition and IOL exchange in pseudophakic patients with problems of lens fixation remains a largely unsolved issue. The literature data shows a noticeable increase in the number of supporters of retropupillary fixation of an iris-claw lens during the exchange procedure.

Scleral fixation of intraocular lenses

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review current, effective and more popular techniques for scleral fixation of intraocular lens (IOLs) and IOL-capsular bag complex.

RECENT FINDINGS

Scleral fixation of IOLs became popular, originally with sutured scleral fixated IOLs and later the Scharioth technique of intrascleral haptic fixation. This was further developed as the Glued IOL technique which enjoys widespread adoption all over the world. Recently the Yamane technique has also become popular and is being widely adopted as well.

SUMMARY

Scleral fixated IOLs have evolved in the last 2 decades with technical modifications, extended indications and improvised instrumentation. Though sutured and sutureless techniques have been growing equally, the sutureless scleral fixation techniques have attracted special interest. Reduced suture-related complications, technical ease and high-quality functional outcomes may be possible reasons. Sutureless capsular bag fixation also has distinct advantages.

Intraocular lens scaffold technique to prevent posterior capsule rupture in cases of Morgagnian cataract

We describe a technique for performing safe phacoemulsification of a Morgagnian cataract using the intraocular lens (IOL) scaffold. An IOL scaffold has been used in cases in which posterior capsule rupture has occurred, leaving nonemulsified nuclear pieces. The scaffold provides a barrier that prevents the nuclear fragments from falling posteriorly into the vitreous cavity. Our technique uses the IOL as a scaffold to prevent the vulnerable posterior capsule from rupturing during nuclear emulsification in Morgagnian cataract. The technique prevents rupture of the floppy posterior capsule by providing a constant support to it. The scaffold provides stable inflation of the capsular bag and prevents inadvertent emulsification. Concurrently, it prevents dehiscence of weak zonular fibers by minimizing the stress on the zonular apparatus.

Glued intrascleral haptic fixation of an intraocular lens

Glued intrascleral haptic fixation of an intraocular lens (glued IOL) has evolved as a technique with various modifications that are adopted and practiced by several surgeons. With adequate and appropriate haptic tuck, glued IOL imparts a stable IOL fixation and is a secured method of secondary IOL placement with no pseudophacodonesis.

Spatula scaffold: An iris-sparing technique for lensectomy

Lensectomy with vitrectomy is often performed for crystalline lenticular subluxation. We report a new technique and a practical approach that involves the placement of a spatula beneath the iris tissue that facilitates retroiridial removal of subluxated lens and acts as a scaffold by protecting the iris tissue from being accidentally trapped into the vitrectomy cutter port. Our technique facilitates management of the lens and vitreous without any trauma to the iris and secondarily obviates the need to perform an iris repair procedure that may arise due to iatrogenic reasons.

Remnant extraction by using an intraocular lens injector with essential flow

PURPOSE

To describe a new technique for remnant removal in cases of posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery and Soemmering ring extraction during intraocular lens (IOL) removal.

METHODS

An IOL injector, inserted into the anterior chamber, provides a new exit for residual lens fragments. Passive fluid flow, supplied by an anterior chamber maintainer or some ocular viscoelastic device (OVD) injection, delivers the residual fragments into a lumen of the injector in assistance with a second device such as a phaco-chopper and vitreous cutter.

RESULTS

Soemmering rings can be removed safely through small incisions even when under the iris. Nucleus fragments in anterior chamber can be removed safely. Fragments that fall into the vitreous cavity can float up for removal by passive flow.

CONCLUSIONS

This new technique, remnant extraction through lens injector with essential flow, has several practical advantages over existing methods including reduced OVD injection and smaller incision size. It may offer an alternative to existing methods of remnant removal in cases of posterior capsular rupture during cataract surgery and Soemmering ring extraction.

Clinical outcomes of the glued intraocular lens scaffold

PURPOSE

To report the visual outcomes and complications of the glued intraocular lens (IOL) scaffold procedure in patients with intraoperative posterior capsule rupture and retained nuclear fragments, subluxated cataract, and Soemmerring ring associated with aphakia and deficient posterior capsule.

SETTING

Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Chennai, India.

DESIGN

Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series.

METHODS

Medical records of patients who had a glued IOL scaffold procedure performed were reviewed. The main outcome measures were visual acuity at final follow-up and intraoperative and postoperative complications during the entire follow-up.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative and mean final postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) (Snellen decimal equivalent) in 19 eyes of 17 patients were 0.39 ± 0.13 (SD) and 0.73 ± 0.27, respectively (P = .002, Wilcoxon test). No eye lost CDVA. The CDVA was stable in 7 eyes, improved 1 line in 2 eyes, and improved 2 lines or more in 10 eyes. Postoperatively, 20/20 visual acuity was attained in 9 eyes. Intraoperatively, Soemmerring ring drop into the vitreous cavity in 1 eye and hyphema in 2 eyes were observed. Postoperative complications included corneal edema (2 eyes), choroidal detachment (1 eye), mild vitritis (1 eye), ocular hypertension (1 eye), and fibrin reaction in the anterior chamber that resolved with medical management (2 eyes).

CONCLUSION

The glued IOL scaffold enabled a closed-chamber approach with proper placement of an IOL in cases with inadequate sulcus or iris support and allowed safe emulsification of the retained nuclear fragments with good visual outcomes.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

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

Optic surface changes in Intraocular lens scaffold: An ex vivo study

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess the micro injuries on the intraocular lens (IOL) optic in the IOL scaffold technique by ex vivo study.

SETTING

This study was conducted at the Tahira Research Laboratory, Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital and Eye Research Centre, Chennai.

DESIGN

This was an experimental study.

METHODS

IOL scaffold technique was simulated in 12 caprine eyes with moderate lens changes using 12 IOLs (six acrylic hydrophilic and six polymethyl methacrylate IOL) in experimental set up. IOLs (6 mm optic diameter) were explanted from the caprine eyes immediately after the surgery and examined under light microscopy and phase contrast microscopy for anterior and posterior optic changes, and again after 24 hours. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed in IOLs with abnormalities. Two IOLs placed in caprine eyes that did not undergo scaffold procedure acted as controls. A trocar anterior chamber maintainer was used in four eyes.

RESULTS

Four out of 12 IOLs showed mark defects on the surface in mid periphery. Linear mark defects measured IOL 1 (190 μm), IOL 6 (18 μm), IOL 2 (2.33 μm, 2.3 μm, 14 μm, 14 μm) and IOL 5 (12 μm). The marks do not change after 24 hours. There were no mark defects (micro abrasions or scratches) seen on any of the IOL's in the central 4 mm of the optic anterior surface. The control IOLs showed no surface changes. The pre-experiment mark defects (n = 0) in study IOLs changed to post-experiment (n = 7), with no statistical significance obtained (p = 0.059).

CONCLUSION

IOL scaffold technique can cause microscopic optic surface changes seen as linear marks defects in the mid periphery and intraoperative fluid maintenance can reduce its incidence.

INTRAOCULAR LENS SCAFFOLD TO PREVENT INTRAOCULAR FOREIGN BODY SLIPPAGE

PURPOSE

To report the application of intraocular lens (IOL) scaffold technique in intraocular foreign body (IOFB) removal.

METHODS

Patient with IOFB in posterior segment is included. The IOFB is retrieved from the posterior segment (pars plana vitrectomy and exteriorization of the IOFB from the retinal surface using an intravitreal forceps via the posterior capsulotomy) and placed on the iris. A three-piece posterior chamber IOL is placed in the sulcus via the clear corneal incision. IOFB is then removed from the anterior chamber over the IOL by forceps.

RESULTS

Metallic IOFB of 4 mm × 3 mm has been retrieved by IOL scaffold technique after rescuing it from the posterior segment. There has been no drop or slip of IOFB in the vitreous during removal. Posterior chamber IOL served as scaffold during IOFB removal from anterior chamber.

CONCLUSION

The IOL scaffold maneuver has shown to prevent slippage by acting as a barrier between the IOFB and the vitreous.