Simultaneous Penetrating Keratoplasty and Implantation of a New Scleral-Fixated, Sutureless, Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens (Soleko, Carlevale): A Novel Technique

Current Evidence for a New Surgical Technique for Scleral Fixation: The Implantation of a Carlevale Lens, a Systematic Review

Background: The Carlevale lens (FIL SSF, Soleko IOL Division, Italy) is a new lens for suture-less scleral fixation. This paper aimed to systematically review articles on this lens, the surgical techniques used for its implantation, complications and outcomes. Methods: This systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. The search string used was "Carlevale" AND "scleral fixation" from inception until March 2024. For completeness, either case-control studies, case reports or case series written in English were included. The authors used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale for the case-control studies and the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for case reports and case series. Results: Twenty-nine articles were included. Scleral fixation with Carlevale lens can be performed by creating scleral flaps or, alternatively, by using scleral pockets. The two sclerotomies must be diametrically opposed, and are preferably created by 25-gauge trocars. A pars plana vitrectomy should be performed every time, and the design of the lens should be suitable for self-anchoring to the sclera; the most accredited strategy to achieve this is to avoid scleral sutures. There were only a few intraoperative and postoperative complications reported; vitreous hemorrhages were the most frequent intraoperative events, while the most relevant postoperative complications were vitreous hemorrhages, cystoid macular oedema and transient variations in the intraocular pressure. Excellent results have been obtained in terms of BCVA, IOL centration and stability, mean intraocular pressure, postoperative spherical equivalent, separation between anterior and posterior chamber and the distance of the IOL from anterior chamber structures. Conclusions: The foldable hydrophilic design of the Carlevale lens has shown good effectiveness, IOL stability and few intra and post-operative complications.

Concomitant sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lens with keratoplasty: Review of surgical techniques

Sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lens (sSFIOL) is a commonly employed method of optical rehabilitation of aphakic patients with deficient capsular support, and corneal transplant surgeries can be simultaneously combined with sSFIOL to handle aphakic corneal opacities. A single-stage procedure circumvents the need for repeat intraocular procedures and carries lower risk of graft endothelial damage, endophthalmitis, and macular edema associated with sequential surgeries. However, it mandates surgical expertise and increases the chances of postoperative inflammation. A basket of options is available with the corneal surgeons regarding the manner of host and donor preparation as well as the approaches to scleral fixation and certain intraoperative modifications along with postoperative vigilance may enhance the surgical outcomes. Most of the studies pertaining to keratoplasty with sSFIOL categorize to case reports/series, surgical techniques, and retrospective studies with very limited prospective data available currently. The purpose of the present review is to consolidate all available literature on concomitant sSFIOLs and keratoplasty procedures.

Trans-Scleral Plugs Fixated FIL SSF IOL: A Review of the Literature and Comparison with Other Secondary IOL Implants

Purpose. To revise the current literature on FIL SSF (Carlevale) intraocular lens, previously known as Carlevale lens, and to compare their outcomes with those from other secondary IOL implants. Methods. We performed a peer review of the literature regarding FIL SSF IOLs until April 2021 and analyzed the results only of articles with a minimum of 25 cases and a follow-up of at least 6 months. The searches yielded 36 citations, 11 of which were abstracts of meeting presentations that were not included in the analysis because of their limited data. The authors reviewed 25 abstracts and selected six articles of possible clinical relevance to review in full text. Of these, four were considered to be sufficiently clinically relevant. Particularly, we extrapolated data regarding the pre- and postoperative best corrected visual acuities (BCVA) and the complications related to the procedure. The complication rates were then compared with those from a recently published Ophthalmic Technology Assessment by the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) on secondary IOL implants. Results. Four studies with a total of 333 cases were included for results analysis. The BCVA improved in all cases after surgery, as expected. Cystoid macular edema (CME) and increased intraocular pressure were the most common complications, with an incidence of up to 7.4% and 16.5%, respectively. Other IOL types from the AAO report included anterior chamber IOLs, iris fixation IOLs, sutured iris fixation IOLs, sutured scleral fixation IOLs, and sutureless scleral fixation IOLs. There was no statistically significant difference in the rates of postoperative CME (p = 0.20), and vitreous hemorrhage (p = 0.89) between other secondary implants and the FIL SSF IOL, whereas the rate of retinal detachment was significantly less with FIL SSF IOLs (p = 0.04). Conclusion. The results of our study suggest the implantation of FIL SSF IOLs is an effective and safe surgical strategy in cases where there is a lack of capsular support. In fact, their outcomes seem to be comparable to those obtained with the other available secondary IOL implants. According to published literature, the FIL SSF (Carlevale) IOL provides favorable functional results with a low rate of postoperative complications.

Contralateral Autokeratoplasty, Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Luxated Cataract, and Flanged Intrascleral Intraocular Lens Fixation

Purpose:

To describe a case of a combined procedure including autokeratoplasty, pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and scleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

We describe a case of an 85-year-old patient presenting a right, blind eye with a clear cornea and a left eye with acceptable visual potential but affected by bullous keratopathy, aphakia, and a posteriorly dislocated nucleus. The patient underwent a contralateral autokeratoplasty, PPV, and flanged intrascleral IOL fixation with double needle technique. After 24 months of follow-up, the graft remained clear, and the IOL was stable.

Conclusions:

Complex cases comprising anterior and posterior segments pathology sometimes require combined procedures. A shortage of corneal tissue in developing countries is common. In strictly selected cases, autokeratoplasty may be an option and is associated with fewer complications than allograft corneal transplantation. Sutureless novel techniques for intrascleral fixation of IOL have shown good results and reliable lens stability.

Surgical outcomes of concomitantly performed penetrating keratoplasty with intrascleral haptic fixation

Purpose:

To describe the surgical results of concomitantly performed optical penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) with glued intrascleral haptic fixation (ISHF).

Methods:

Retrospective review of 18 patients (15–72 years) with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of ≤1/60 subjected to unilateral concomitant optical PKP with ISHF and followed up for 13.11 ± 5.83 months (6–26 months) was undertaken.

Results:

The most common diagnoses were failed PKP (9/18, 50%) followed by aphakic bullous keratopathy (5/18, 27%). Preoperative glaucoma, peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS), and deep vascularization were present in 7/18 (38.88%), 12/18 (61.11%), and 5/18 (27.77%) patients, respectively. Intraoperatively, concomitant procedures such as pupilloplasty and intraocular lens explant were undertaken in 5/18 (27.277%) patients and 1/18 patients (5.55%) experienced suprachoroidal hemorrhage. At final follow-up, BCVA was ≥6/60 in 50% patients (mean astigmatism: 4.79 ± 1.68D), and 55.55% cases experienced graft failure (90% failed within one year of surgery). The most common causes of graft failure were glaucoma (50%), glaucoma with rejection (20%), rejection (10%), retinal detachment (10%), and suprachoroidal hemorrhage (10%). The ODDS ratio (OR) of having graft failure with the following factors was postoperative secondary interventions (OR: 6), postoperative complications (OR: 2.25), prior failed graft (OR: 1.8), preoperative PAS (OR: 1.75), intraoperative concomitant procedures (OR: 1.5), preoperative glaucoma (OR: 1.33), previous surgeries (OR: 1.24), and deep corneal vessels (OR: 0.66).

Conclusion:

All patients underlying PKP combined with glued ISHF must be counseled about suboptimal surgical outcomes. Emphasis is laid on appropriate case selection and stringent follow-up during the first year after surgery. Secondary interventions should be undertaken cautiously and judiciously in these patients.

Trans-scleral plugs scleral fixation IOL and penetrating keratoplasty to restore vision in vitrectomized eyes

PURPOSE

To report the surgical outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and sutureless scleral fixation (SSF) using Carlevale Lens (Soleko) combined procedure to solve corneal failure and aphakia in vitrectomized eyes and discuss eventual advantages of this new approach.

METHODS

Two patients underwent primary wound repair and pars plana vitrectomy after a penetrating ocular trauma and were referred to the author's clinic. The PKP and SSF-Carlevale lens implantation were performed under retrobulbar anesthesia. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded, intraocular lens positioning was evaluated using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and endothelial cell density was determined using an endothelial microscope. Both patients completed 12 months follow-up.

RESULTS

The surgery was performed without intraoperative complications. After 1 month, the lens was fixed well, and the graft showed no sign of rejection. At the last visit after 12 months, the corneal graft remained transparent with good endothelial cell density in both cases; conjunctival scarring or inflammation and plugs externalization did not occur during follow-ups. Best-corrected visual acuity was 4/10 Snellen in the first case, while in the second case, we witnessed a limited visual recovery of 1/20 Snellen due to retinal issues.

CONCLUSION

We report the feasibility of secondary IOL implantation using Carlevale with penetrating keratoplasty. The relative of ease of Carlevale lens implantation through the transscleral plugs reduces the open globe length resulting in a safer procedure, especially for vitrectomized eyes.