A modified technique of scleral fixated intraocular lenses for aphakic correction

Scleral-fixated intraocular lens implants-evolution of surgical techniques and future developments

Varied options are available for the implantation of secondary intraocular lens implants in the absence of zonular or capsular support. Loss of the capsule can occur in the context of complicated cataract surgery, trauma or inherited conditions such as Marfan syndrome or pseudoexfoliation. Approaches to overcome this include optical measures such as the use of spectacles or contact lenses, and surgical therapy incorporating the use of anterior chamber, iris-fixated or scleral-fixated lenses. Surgical techniques to implant scleral-fixated lenses have undergone various modifications, since the first publication of sutured intrascleral fixation described in the 1980s. However, despite the advances in surgical techniques, studies are limited either by their retrospective nature, small sample size and most importantly small duration of follow-up. This comprehensive review aims to amalgamate the evolution of various surgical techniques with regards to intrascleral lens fixation and suggests areas for future development.

A Systematic Review on Three Major Types of Scleral-Fixated Intraocular Lens Implantation

PURPOSE

We performed a systematic review on 3 major types of scleral-fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL) implantations and conducted subgroup analyses on pediatric population and subjects with Marfan syndrome.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

We performed a search in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase for English language articles with keywords "(sutured intraocular lens) OR (SFIOL) OR (sutureless intraocular lens) OR (glued intraocular lens) OR (intrascleral intraocular lens) OR (SFIOL)" through October 16, 2019. Articles reporting individual outcomes after SFIOL were included in this systematic review. Recorded outcome measures included intraoperative and postoperative complications, endothelial cell changes, and intraocular lens-related outcomes.

RESULTS

Our search yielded 217 papers. After removing duplicated and irrelevant reports, we included 57 articles involving 2624 eyes. The mean age at operation was 51.47 ± 25.62 years. Sutured SFIOL was most commonly reported in all subjects with Marfan syndrome and 92.87% of pediatric patients. The pooled intraoperative complication rate was 6.65%. Minor anterior chamber hemorrhage was the most common intraoperative (1.92%) and postoperative complication (13.93%). Optic capture was the top intraocular lens (IOL)-related complication (4.47%). The overall mean endothelial cell loss was 8.95% at 16.77 ± 11.04 months. Overall 11.99% of SFIOLs were decentred with a mean distance of 0.49 ± 0.40 mm and a mean degree of tilt by 4.11 ± 3.03°.

CONCLUSIONS

Glued SFIOL had the fewest IOL-related complications and the lowest endothelial cell loss. Sutured SFIOL carried the highest IOL-related complications, whereas sutureless, glueless SFIOL was associated with the greatest endothelial cell loss.

Outcomes and complications in scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantations

PURPOSE

This study compares outcomes and complications of scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation between 2 levels of surgeons.

METHODS

A retrospective case series of patients undergoing scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation at Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, between May 2012 and April 2017 were reviewed. Data collected included age, gender, affected eye, preoperative and postoperative visual acuities, refractive target and outcome, surgeon profile, operative details including method of scleral fixation, intraoperative and postoperative complications and length of follow-up.

RESULTS

Ninety eyes of 90 patients were included for analyses. The mean LogMAR visual acuities were 1.17 ± 0.70 at postoperative week 1, 0.81 ± 0.56 at 1 month, 0.66 ± 0.55 at 3 months, 0.56 ± 0.59 at 6 months, and 0.51 ± 0.60 at 1 year, respectively. After adjusting for age at operation, operative time, axial length, subspecialty of the surgeon and preoperative LogMAR, surgeon seniority was not significantly associated with final visual outcomes. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean improvement in visual acuities between eyes operated by consultants and fellows under direct supervision of a senior surgeon.

CONCLUSION

Scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation is safe and effective in improving visual acuity in aphakic adults without capsular support. Under good supervision, fellows were able to produce comparable results compared with experienced specialists.

Complications of Scleral-Fixated Intraocular Lenses

INTRODUCTION

Understanding the evolution of complications after scleral-fixated lens placement demonstrates advantageous surgical techniques and suitable candidates.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A literature search in PubMed for several terms, including "scleral intraocular lens complication," yielded 17 relevant articles.

RESULTS

Reviewing complication trends over time, lens tilt and suture erosion have decreased, cystoid macular edema has increased, and retinal detachment has remained the same after scleral-fixated lens placement. The successful reduction in complications are attributed to several alterations in technique, including positioning sclerotomy sites 180 degrees apart and using scleral flaps or pockets to bury sutures. Possible reduction in retinal risks have been proposed by performing an anterior vitrectomy prior to lens placement in certain settings.

DISCUSSION

Complications after scleral-fixated lens placement should assist patient selection. Elderly patients with a history of hypertension should be counseled regarding risk of suprachoroidal hemorrhage, while young patients and postocular trauma patients should be considered for concurrent anterior vitrectomy.

High speed small gauge anterior vitrectomy cutter for scleral fixated intraocular lens implantation

AIM

To report the outcomes of anterior vitrectomy using high speed cutter for scleral fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL) implantation in patients with posterior capsular rupture.

METHODS

Medical records of 51 patients with posterior capsular rupture who received high speed cutter anterior vitrectomy via limbal incision with SFIOL implantation from June 2011 to December 2013 were reviewed retrospectively for visual outcomes and complications.

RESULTS

Totally 51 eyes of 51 patients were identified (23 males and 28 females). Mean age at surgery was 67.2±15y (range 27-91y), with mean follow-up of 23±8.2mo (range 12-40mo). The 49 (96.1%) eyes had improvement or unchanged of final postoperative visual acuity. The most common complication was vitreous haemorrhage (5.9%) and transient rise in intraocular pressure (5.9%) which all spontaneously resolved.

CONCLUSION

High speed cutter anterior vitrectomy via limbal incision is a safe and effective method for those with posterior capsular rupture for SFIOL implantation.

Transscleral fixation of closed loop haptic acrylic posterior chamber intraocular lens in aphakic nonvitrectomized eyes

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcome of transscleral fixation of closed loop haptic acrylic posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) in aphakia in nonvitrectomized eyes.

Materials and Methods:

Patients with postcataract surgery aphakia, trauma with posterior capsule injury, subluxated crystalline lens, and per operative complications where sulcus implantation was not possible were included over a 1-year period. Scleral fixation of acrylic hydrophilic PCIOL was performed according to the described technique, and the patients were evaluated on the day 1, 3, 14, and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively for IOL centration, pseudophakodonesis, change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and any other complications.

Results:

Out of twenty-nine eyes of 24 patients, who completed the study, 25 (86.2%) eyes had improved, 2 (6.9%) eyes showed no change, and 2 (6.9%) eyes had worsening of BCVA. Three (10.3%) eyes developed postoperative complications. A significant improvement in mean BCVA (P < 0.0001) was observed after the procedure. Mean duration of follow-up was 26.2 months (range 22–35 months).

Conclusion:

The use of closed loop haptic acrylic IOL for scleral fixation appears to be safe and effective alternative to conventional scleral fixated polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lenses.

Visual outcome and complications in Ab-externo scleral fixation IOL in aphakia in pediatric age group

Objective: To assess the visual outcome and complications in patients after Ab-externo scleral fixation of intraocular lens in pediatric age group (15 years or less).

Methods: This quasi experimental study was conducted at Isra Postgraduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Al-Ibrahim Eye Hospital, Karachi, from January 2012 to December 2012. All cases included were worked up according to the protocol. All patients underwent Ab-externo scleral fixation of IOL under general anesthesia. Patients were followed up at 1^stday, 1^stweek, 1^stmonth, 2^ndmonth and 3^rdmonth. Complete eye examination including best-corrected visual acuity and complications were noted on each visit.

Results: Thirty patients were included in the study, with mean age of 8.6 years (±3.93569). Most of the patients, 20 (66.7%), had visual acuities of 6/18 or better. No complication was seen in 18 (60%) of the patients intra operatively while soft eye was observed in 7 (23.3%) of the patients. Another complication noted was vitreous hemorrhage, which was seen in 5 (16.7%) patients. Most common post-operative complication was Uveitis followed by astigmatism. Lens dislocation and iris abnormalities were seen in only one patient. Most of the patients showed significant visual improvement after surgery.

Conclusion: Ab-externo scleral fixation of an IOL was found to be safe and showed favorable postoperative results with fewer complications.

Long-term outcome of scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE

Implantation of a scleral-fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL) for the surgical management of aphakia in the absence of capsular support is a safe procedure with a low risk of complications in the early postoperative period. However, data on long-term functional outcome are limited. The purpose of this study is to assess the long-term outcome and complication profile of SFIOL implantation in a cohort of Chinese patients.

METHODS

All patients who had undergone primary or secondary SFIOL implantation between 1997 and 2008 were retrospectively reviewed for visual outcomes and complications. Patients' demographic data and information on baseline preoperative visual acuity, indication for surgery, postoperative complications, latest postoperative visual acuity and indication for any subsequent surgical procedures were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

104 eyes of 99 patients (51 males and 48 females) were identified. Mean age at surgery was 67.1 ± 13 years (range 32-88 years), with a mean follow-up of 73.4 ± 43 months (range 12-180 months). 72% of patients had unchanged or improved final postoperative visual acuity. 25 of 104 eyes (24.0%) had postoperative complications, with suture-related complications being the most common. 13 eyes (12.5%) required further procedures for postoperative complications. Suture breakage leading to lens subluxation occurred in two eyes (1.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

SFIOL implantation is valuable for the management of aphakia in the absence of capsular support, and our visual outcomes and complication rates are comparable to other case series. The long-term outcomes and safety profile are favourable, but potential long-term suture-related problems should be discussed with the patients before surgery.

Bilateral spontaneous anterior lens dislocation in a retinitis pigmentosa patient

Purpose

To report a case of bilateral spontaneous anterior lens dislocation associated with retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Methods

A 45-year-old male with RP presented with elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in the right eye and was treated with laser iridotomy (LI). After LI, complete crystalline lens dislocation into the anterior chamber occurred. Surgical intervention, including anterior vitrectomy, intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE), and IOL scleral fixation was performed. Two years later, the same episode occurred in his left eye and a similar treatment was done.

Results

Surgery was successful in both eyes.

Conclusions

This is the first report of bilateral spontaneous anterior lens dislocation in a RP patient.

Techniques of intraocular lens suspension in the absence of capsular/zonular support

Implantation of intraocular lenses has become the standard of care in the aphakic state. Ideally, the lens is placed in the capsular bag, which affords stable fixation at a position closest to the nodal point of the eye. However, there will always be instances where this will not be possible. Congenital weakness of the lens zonules in various conditions, trauma, and surgical complications of cataract surgery are just some examples. In this article, we review the methods that have been devised to allow intraocular lens implantation in the absence of capsular or zonular support. These include anterior chamber angle and iris-fixated lenses, as well as posterior chamber iris- and scleral-sutured lenses. The various lenses are described, and the techniques involved, advantages and disadvantages, complications, and results of each method are discussed. It is hoped that this article will provide a comprehensive overview of ways to deal with a problem that can still result in a very good visual outcome for the patient. This is particularly relevant given the many recent developments and refinements of methods in implanting intraocular lenses.