Complications of anterior chamber lens implants and their effects on the endothelium

Scleral fixation of a 4-eyelet foldable intraocular lens in patients with aphakia using a 4-flanged technique

A 29-gauge model test fine needle is used to create a beveled intrascleral tunnel; with microforceps, a 6-0 polypropylene suture is placed in the bore of the needle, which is used as a guide to pass and externalize the monofilament through the sclera. This maneuver is repeated by passing the suture ends through the intraocular lens (IOL) eyelets. The folded IOL is inserted and centered, the sutures are cut, and the flanges are created by thermocautery and inserted into the scleral tunnel. This technique was performed on 7 patients and visual acuity was recorded. The 4-flanged technique for scleral fixation using a 4-eyelet IOL was an effective and a safe treatment in the setting of aphakia.

Long-term follow-up of leiske closed-loop anterior chamber intraocular lenses

PURPOSE

To provide long-term follow-up on the rates of endothelial cell loss in eyes with retained closed-loop anterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs).

SETTING

Private practices, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

METHODS

In 1980 to 1982, 3 surgeons performed 587 intracapsular cataract extractions with implantation of Leiske closed-loop anterior chamber IOLs. During the prospective part of the study from 1991 to 1996, 59 patients with 83 eligible eyes were followed using specular microscopy and pachymetry. The mean follow-up of the prospective study was 41.9 months, or 12.9 years from the original cataract surgery.

RESULTS

No specific preoperative or postoperative factor except the behavior of the fellow eye (P =.022) predicted the rate of endothelial cell loss. During the prospective study, 6 patients required IOL exchange and corneal transplantation. The rate of corneal decompensation was heavily dependent on the initial measurement of endothelial cell density. Corneas with initial endothelial cell counts greater than 1000 cells/mm(2) had a decompensation rate of 1.5%, and corneas with counts of 500 cells/mm(2) or less had a decompensation rate of 57.1% (P <.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical examination and serial measurements of endothelial cell density provide the most reliable methods for monitoring patients with closed-loop anterior chamber IOLs. Endothelial cell counts can predict the rate of corneal decompensation. Patients with endothelial cell counts greater than 1000 cells/mm(2) usually do not require an IOL exchange.

Long-term endothelial cell loss following phacoemulsification through a temporal clear corneal incision

PURPOSE

To evaluate central endothelial cell loss (ECL) following clear corneal cataract surgery using two different incision sizes and the effect of ultrasound time (UST) and power on postoperative ECL and various cell parameters.

METHODS

Fifty-eight patients had phacoemulsification through temporal, two-step clear corneal tunnel incisions. In Group A (n = 28), a one-piece, plate-haptic foldable silicone intraocular lens (IOL) was implanted through a 3.5 mm sutureless incision. In Group B (n = 30), a poly(methyl methacrylate) IOL was implanted through a 5.0 mm incision with one radial suture. The central endothelial cell counts were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively at 2 to 5 days, after 6 months, and after 1 year. Color-coded, computer-assisted specular microscopy was used for special cell analysis after 1 year.

RESULTS

Collective data showed an ECL of 7.9 +/- 4.1% (mean +/- standard deviation) at 2 to 5 days postoperatively, 6.7 +/- 2.9% after 6 months, and 7.3 +/- 3.3% after 1 year. A direct linear relationship was found between ECL and UST and power: ECL increased as UST and power increased. After 1 year, ECL in Group A was 4.2% with UST < or = 11/2 minutes, 6.7% with UST > 11/2 to 21/2 min, and 9.6% with UST > 21/2 to 31/2 min; in Group B it was 6.0%, 7.5%, and 11.4%, respectively. Specular microscopy showed normal, age-related cell parameters 1 year postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Phacoemulsification with 3.5 mm clear corneal incisions produced slightly less ECL (6.7%) than phacoemulsification with 5.0 mm incisions (7.9%). Total ECL of 7.3% at 1 year postoperatively compared favorably with ECL rates of other cataract extraction methods.