Supporting IOL'S in a Deficient Capsular Environment: The Tale of No "Tails"

A New Technique with Scleral Grooves for Sutureless Scleral Fixation of the Carlevale Intraocular Lens

INTRODUCTION

A novel technique is described employing scleral grooves to facilitate sutureless scleral fixation of the Carlevale intraocular lens (CIL). We describe its use in a series of 47 patients with aphakia.

METHODS

A retrospective study of all patients with aphakia who underwent CIL implantation with the new technique by a single surgeon during 1 year. The novelty of this technique consists in the creation of two partial-thickness linear sclerotomies (grooves), 180° apart, 2 mm from and parallel to the limbus. In the middle of each groove a full-thickness sclerotomy is performed to facilitate externalization of the CIL anchors. The groove allows the anchor to plug the full-thickness sclerotomy and to rest within the sclera without protrusion. Reported outcomes include pre-operative/post-operative visual acuity, post-operative spherical equivalent and surgical complications. Follow-up was a minimum of 6 months.

RESULTS

Forty-eight eyes of 47 patients with aphakia with a mean age of 74 years (range 31-90 years) are included. The commonest causes of aphakia were intraocular lens (IOL) subluxation,with or without exfoliation (54.2%), complicated cataract surgery (29.2%), crystalline lens luxation (6.3%) and trauma (4.1%). All CILs inserted with the new technique stayed successfully in situ during follow-up. Median pre-operative best-corrected visual acuity (0.75 logMAR; range 0.1-2.7) significantly improved to 0.5 logMAR post-operatively (p < 0.001). Moreover, 78% and 65% of the operated cases were within 1.0 and 0.5 diopters, respectively, from intended refraction. The most common complications were transient cystoid macular oedema (8.3%) and transient intraocular pressure rise (8.3%), all of which resolved within 2 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed modification of sutureless scleral fixation of the CIL appears safe and effective. In our experience it is less time consuming and easier to perform than previous techniques and may therefore offer a useful future option.

Different Methods of Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation

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Sutureless scleral fixation Carlevale IOL: a review on the novel designed lens

Background: Complicated cataract surgery is the main cause of secondary lens implantation surgery. Several approaches have been introduced to face those circumstances. As it concerns scleral-fixated IOLs for the posterior chamber, many types of IOL can be implanted. The aim of article is to review the single piece sutureless scleral fixation Carlevale lens; Methods: Narrative review; Results: Several works described as safe the IOL implantation utilizing the handshake approach, without tactile manipulation, which allows for self-centration and lens firm fixation in uncomplicated surgery. This allows to reduce high order aberration such as astigmatism and coma, with a very good postoperative BCVA Conclusions: Carlevale lens is one of the best option to manage insufficient capsular support.

The Technique of Phacoemulsification and Intraocular Lens Implantation in Subluxated Cataract Surgery

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and practicability of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation for subluxated cataracts. A retrospective review of subluxated cataract surgeries of 19 eyes performed in Kunhua Hospital Affiliated with Kunming University of Science and Technology between January 2017 and June 2021 was conducted. We choose to use the rotate-and-chop phacoemulsification techniques described when the crystal nucleus is rotated out of the capsular bag and simultaneously perform horizontal chops over the capsule. The viscoelastic agent was the important material that filled the capsule to support the capsular bag, and capsular hooks were used in 10 eyes necessarily. Anterior vitrectomy was undergone in 15 eyes. Single-piece intraocular lenses (IOL) were implanted in the capsular bag in 12 eyes including 8 capsular tension ring (CTR) implantation. Three-piece IOLs were fixed scleral layer in 7 eyes. Follow-up was 6 months to 2 years, and all eyes were successfully implanted with centered IOL. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) increased from 0.06 ± 0.04 to 0.62 ± 0.15. The cornea of all patients was clear, the intraocular lens was centered, the pupil was round, and the intraocular pressure was normal. Subluxated cataracts are a challenging surgery. The technique of phacoemulsification in subluxated cataract surgery is a key procedure to rotate and remove the lens from the capsule and at the same time horizontal chops and emulsification over the capsular bag to be performed. Viscoelastic agents and capsular hooks were important choices to support the capsule to reduce the incidence of complications related to the vitreous and retina and prevent the range enlarging of the zonular dialysis. A capsular tension ring was also an effective device to maintain capsular stability. Double-needle-guided scleral interlamellar fixation is an effective and practical method for IOL. Overall, the incision technique explored in this study and the surgical technique to support capsular stabilization provide a safe approach and satisfactory results in cataract surgery for subluxation.