Lens Placement in the Absence of Capsular Support: Scleral-fixated Versus Iris-fixated IOL Versus ACIOL

CONTRIBUTION FACTORS OF EFFECTIVE LENS POSITION, TILT, AND DECENTRATION DURING FLANGED SCLERAL FIXATION OF INTRAOCULAR LENS: A Model Eye Study

PURPOSE

The authors aimed to elucidate the factors related to effective lens position, tilt, and decentration of scleral fixed intraocular lenses (IOLs) with a flanged haptic technique in an artificial eye model using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

METHODS

Two bent 27-gauge needles were passed through a 1.0- or 2.0-mm scleral tunnel, 2.0 mm posterior to the limbus and 180° apart. Both haptics of a three-piece IOL were docked with guide needles and externalized. Factors related to the IOL position were analyzed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography and a stereomicroscope.

RESULTS

The 1.0-mm scleral tunnel induced a significantly longer effective lens position than the 2.0-mm tunnel and suture fixation ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Discrepancy in scleral tunnel length induced higher decentration of the optic to the opposite side of the haptic-embedded shorter tunnel and tilt perpendicular to the fixed axis than that in the scleral tunnel of the same length ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). If the scleral fixation points of both haptics are not exactly 180° apart, the IOL may become decentered and tilted ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In the flanged haptic technique, the length, balance, and position of both scleral tunnels determine IOL effective lens position, tilt, and decentration.

A novel surgical approach for fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens of Rayner 620 H with Gore-Tex suture

PURPOSE

To report a novel surgical approach for the scleral fixation of the Rayner 620 H intraocular lens (IOL) with Gore-Tex suture and its outcomes at 6 months postoperatively.

METHODS

19 consecutive patients who underwent novel surgical approach for the scleral fixation of Rayner 620 H IOL with Gore-Tex suture at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between June 2020 and June 2021 were included. Data on best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent, total astigmatism/axis, short-term and long-term complications, and corresponding management with a follow-up of 6 months were collected.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (11 men and 8 women) with a mean age of 62.7 ± 10.6 years were included. The median BCVA improved significantly from 0.90 ± 0.90 (Snellen 20/160) preoperatively to 0.20 ± 0.30 (Snellen 20/32) at postoperative 6 months follow-up (P < 0.001). The stratification of the accuracy of refractive outcomes was 53% of patients within ± 0.5 D and 84% of patients within ± 1.0 D of the refractive target. Corneal edema (n = 3, 16%) and increased intraocular pressure (IOP) (n = 4, 11%) were short-term complications. Long-term complications included increased IOP (n = 1, 5%), and macular edema (n = 1, 5%).

CONCLUSION

The novel surgical approach for scleral fixation of the Rayner 620 H IOL with Gore-Tex suture is a reasonable option for patients who need secondary IOL placement without adequate capsular support.

Outcome of four-point fixated open loop polymethyl methacrylate anterior chamber intraocular lens

PURPOSE

To study long-term visual and refractive outcomes and complications in eyes with anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL) implantation.

METHODS

Data of patients who underwent primary and secondary ACIOL implantation at L V Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar between 2011 and 2020 was collected, including details of post-operative visits. For analysis, sample was divided into: group Ia (primary ACIOL in cases without risk factors, n = 104); group Ib (primary ACIOL in cases with pre-existing risk factors, n = 49); and group II (secondary ACIOL, n = 40).

RESULTS

A total of 193 eyes of 192 patients were included. Mean post-operative follow-up in groups I and II were 8.6 and 11.51 months, respectively. Mean pre-operative and last visit corrected distance visual acuity were 1.73 ± 0.11 and 0.42 ± 0.05 logMAR units in group Ia (p < 0.001), and 1.53 ± 0.14 and 0.49 ± 0.10 logMAR units in group Ib (p < 0.001). The mean spherical equivalent (MSE) for last refraction was -0.37 ± 0.18 diopters (D) and -0.15 ± 0.51 D in groups I and II, respectively. Of 76 eyes in which addition of 2.5 D (over the near emmetropic posterior chamber intraocular lens power) was taken for ACIOL, 40 (52.6%) had MSE within ± 0.5 D. Most common complications were transient corneal edema and anterior chamber reaction. Eyes on anti-glaucoma medications at last visit were eight (7.7%), 15 (30.6%), and two (5.0%) in groups Ia, Ib, and II, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We observed that ACIOLs have good visual and refractive outcomes. Raised IOP is a concern in eyes with pseudoexfoliation, but can be managed with close monitoring. Hence ACIOL can be a good option for managing aphakia after cataract surgery.

Angle-supported intraocular lens versus scleral-sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens in post-cataract surgery aphakic patients: two-year follow-up cost-effectiveness analysis

PURPOSE

To compare visual, anatomical and economical outcomes of patients with secondary anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC-IOL) implantation and secondary scleral fixated intraocular lens (SF-IOL) implantation.

METHODS

In this retrospective observational study, 38 aphakic patients after complicated phacoemulsification divided in two groups, AC-IOL group (17 patients receiving AC-IOL implantation) and SF-IOL group (21 patients receiving SF-IOL implantation). Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), patient reported visual outcome (VF-14) and endothelial cell density (ECD) were measured at baseline and two-year follow-up. Complication rate was registered. The global cost of each procedure and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) were calculated.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference was found in CDVA (logMAR 0.24 ± 0.17 vs. 0.32 ± 0.26, p = 0.27), VF-14 (68 ± 18 vs. 61 ± 20, p = 0.24), ECD (1456.48 ± 525.15 vs. 1341.71 ± 374.33, p = 0.48) and overall complication rate (p = 0.79) postoperatively between the SF-IOL group and the AC-IOL group. The ECD loss rate was significantly higher in the AC-IOL group (15.5% vs. 3.5%, p = 0.004). The average global cost of the two procedures was higher in the SF-IOL group (p < 0.005) and ICER showed an additional payment of 693 € for each patient in SF-IOL group against a saving of 186 endothelial cells 2 years postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

AC IOL and SF-IOL implantation showed similar outcomes in terms of visual function and safety profile. Higher ECD loss was found in AC-IOL group. The global cost of implantation was significantly lower for AC-IOL, but the ICER seems to justify the SF-IOL implantation in patients with low ECD.

In vivo evaluation of a 1-piece foldable sutureless intrascleral fixation intraocular lens using ultrasound biomicroscopy and anterior segment OCT

PURPOSE

To evaluate the optic plate and haptics of a specially designed sutureless intrascleral-fixated intraocular lens (IOL) using ultrasound biomicroscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, San Marino Hospital, Republic of San Marino.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational case series.

METHODS

Eyes that underwent intrascleral fixation with IOL implantation (Carlevale) were included. Preoperative and postoperative refractive outcomes were reported. Optic plate tilt and haptics position were assessed with ultrasound biomicroscopy, whereas intrascleral plug depth and conformation were evaluated with AS-OCT.

RESULTS

The study comprised 10 aphakic eyes. Postoperative visual acuity improved in all patients. At postoperative month 3, 3 eyes (30%) had a vertical tilt of more than 100 μm, whereas no horizontal tilt was observed in any patient. The mean vertical intraocular tilt was 0.19 ± 0.22 mm. Of 20 haptics, 13 (65%) passed through the ciliary sulcus, 4 (20%) posterior to the ciliary body, and 3 (15%) through the ciliary body. AS-OCT scans showed a mean intrascleral plug depth of 247.20 ± 62.82 μm in the nasal sector and 265.50 ± 30.11 μm in the temporal sector, with adequate integration of the T-shaped plugs in the scleral tissue.

CONCLUSIONS

This secondary IOL showed good intraocular stability and safe haptics fixation, making it suitable for the intrascleral fixation technique. The specific foldable design results in a low predisposition to optic plate tilt and haptic torsion. In long eyes, the sulcus-to-sulcus distance should be carefully evaluated preoperatively because the flexible structure of the IOL could be subjected to excessive stretching.

Comparison of Three Intraocular Lens Implantation Procedures for Aphakic Eyes With Insufficient Capsular Support: A Network Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To compare the clinical outcomes and main complications of transscleral-fixated (TSF), intrascleral-fixated (ISF), and iris-fixated (IF) intraocular lenses (IOLs).

DESIGN

Systematic review and network meta-analysis.

METHODS

The authors searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant articles up to April 2017 with no language restrictions, and related studies meeting the eligibility criteria were included. A Bayesian framework was applied to compare the visual outcomes and complications of these 3 approaches.

RESULTS

A total of 14 studies with 845 eyes were included in the present report. There was no significant difference between any pair of surgical approaches in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and in final BCVA achieving 20/40 or better (Snellen). ISF presented a lower risk of cystoid macular edema (CME) compared with TSF (risk ratio [RR], 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], [0.18, 1.0]). IF showed superiorities in less intraocular hemorrhage (IOH) than ISF (RR, 0.078; 95% CI [0.0095, 0.38]), as well as TSF (RR, 0.26; 95% CI, [0.09, 0.72]). IF had a lower risk of glaucoma escalation; the difference was slightly higher than the conventional level of significance (RR, 0.41; 95% CI, [0.16, 1.04]). Moreover, the surgical time in IF was shorter than TSF (standard mean difference [SMD], -2.98; 95% CI, [-4.32, -1.64]) and ISF (SMD, -2.60; 95% CI, [-3.71, -1.49]). However, IF was associated with a significantly higher risk of endothelial cell density (ECD) impairment (SMD, -0.54; 95% CI, [-1.02, -0.05]) and significantly greater postoperative corneal endothelial cell loss rate (ECLR, %) (SMD, 0.35; 95% CI, [0.08, 0.63]) compared with TSF.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative visual outcomes were comparable among TSF, ISF, and IF for eyes with insufficient capsular support. However, the risk of some complications differed among approaches. IF showed its superiorities in lower risk of IOH and glaucoma escalation as well as shorter surgical time, while IF was at a disadvantage in greater endothelial cell impairment. Since some patients might have a clear contraindication to one of the surgical approaches, the decision of surgical approach eventually depends on surgeon experience and the presenting pathology.