Visual and Refractive Outcomes With the Eyecryl Phakic Toric IOL Versus the Visian Toric Implantable Collamer Lens: Results of a 2-Year Prospective Comparative Study

Endothelial Cell Loss in Patients with Phakic Intraocular Lenses

Although the safety of phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs) has been continuously improved over 70-years of development, high endothelial cell losses can occur even with current pIOL models. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the distance of a pIOL to the corneal endothelium plays a crucial role in the extent of endothelial cell loss. For this reason alone, higher endothelial cell loss tends to be observed with anterior chamber lenses than with posterior chamber lenses. Adequate preoperative anterior chamber depth is essential, at least for iris-fixed pIOLs, in order to ensure a safe distance from the endothelium. However, the anterior chamber becomes shallower with age and therefore it may be useful to consider patient age in the safety criteria. Although endothelial cell loss is generally low with current pIOL models, regular monitoring of the endothelial cell density remains essential due to large interindividual differences in patients with pIOLs. If the endothelial cell loss is greater than expected and the follow-up visits confirm the trend, the pIOL should be explanted without delay. The endothelial reserve should be considered on an individual basis by taking into account patient age, physiological endothelial cell loss, and loss due to further surgery. With careful indication and long-term patient care, pIOLs remain a safe treatment option.

Management of low astigmatism in implantable collamer lens surgery: opposite clear corneal incisions vs toric implantable collamer lens

PURPOSE

To compare 2 techniques to correct low astigmatism during implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery: astigmatic opposite clear corneal incisions (OCCIs) and toric ICL (T-ICL).

SETTING

Arruzafa Ophthalmological Hospital, Cordoba, Spain.

DESIGN

Randomized prospective comparative study.

METHODS

The study comprised 152 myopic eyes undergoing ICL surgery. Patients were separated into 2 groups: Group 1 (57 patients; 76 eyes) received a spherical ICL with OCCIs and Group 2 (53 patients; 76 eyes) received a T-ICL. The inclusion criteria were refractive astigmatism up to 1.50 diopters (D), regular corneal astigmatism up to 2.00 D (Sim K, Pentacam), and agreement between the refractive and topographic corneal cylinders (discrepancies less than 30 degrees axis or 0.50 D). The outcomes were evaluated after a 1-month follow-up.

RESULTS

The T-ICL group achieved a mean postoperative spherical equivalent refraction and refractive astigmatism of -0.04 ± 0.17 D and -0.03 ± 0.12 D, respectively, vs -0.14 ± 0.33 D and -0.20 ± 0.36 D, in the OCCI group ( P < .001). Postoperative refractive astigmatism of less than 0.25 D was achieved in 94.74% of cases in the T-ICL group vs 73.68% in the OCCI group. Undercorrection of corneal astigmatism occurred in the OCCI group with a surgically induced astigmatism of 0.48 ± 0.24 D and correction index = 0.46.

CONCLUSIONS

Both the T-ICL and OCCI techniques provided excellent results in terms of safety and efficacy. T-ICL surgery was shown to be more predictable and accurate for correcting low astigmatism with a lower postoperative spherical equivalent and less residual astigmatism compared to incisional management.

Predicting Vault and Size of Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens Using Sulcus to Sulcus-Optimized Artificial Intelligence Technology

PURPOSE

To investigate the accuracy of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) vault and size prediction models based on sulcus to sulcus (STS) optimized artificial intelligence and big data analysis technology.

DESIGN

Big data and artificial intelligence prediction model.

METHODS

We included 5873 eyes with posterior chamber PIOL implantation, and the postoperative vault was measured using an anterior segment analyzer (Pentacam AXL) 1 month postoperatively. A random forest regression model and classification model were used to predict the postoperative vault and PIOL size. The postoperative vault and PIOL size were set as output features; other vault-related eye parameters were set as input features. The influence of white to white (WTW), horizontal sulcus to sulcus (STS), and vertical STS on predicting postoperative vault and PIOL size was analyzed and compared.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative WTW diameter was 11.64 ± 0.37 mm, the mean horizontal STS diameter was 11.85 ± 0.47 mm, and the mean vertical STS diameter was 12.39 ± 0.52 mm. In the regression model for numerical prediction of the vault, the combination of WTW, horizontal STS, and vertical STS was the most optimal for vault prediction (R2 = 0.3091, root mean square error [RMSE] = 0.1705); solely relying on WTW was the least optimal (R2 = 0.2849, RMSE = 0.1735). Among the models for classification prediction of the vault, the combination of WTW, horizontal STS, and vertical STS was the most accurate (accuracy, 0.6302; mean area under the curve, 0.8008; and mean precision recall rate, 0.6940). Moreover, the combination of WTW, horizontal STS, and vertical STS exhibited the highest accuracy for classification prediction of PIOL size (accuracy, 0.8170; mean area under the curve, 0.9540; and mean precision recall rate, 0.8864). Whether in the regression prediction models of vault values or in the classification prediction models of vault and PIOL size, the accuracy of STS optimized model was significantly improved compared with the traditional WTW model (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Artificial intelligence combined with STS optimization contributes to the accuracy of PIOL size and vault prediction models. The random forest machine-learning model optimized by STS is superior to the traditional WTW model.

Comparison of Dynamic Vault Changes Following Implantation of Two Different Models of Phakic Intraocular Lenses

PURPOSE

To compare the dynamic vault range (the difference in the central vault height from scotopic to photopic light condition) after implantation of the ICL/TICL (STAAR Surgical) and Eyecryl phakic/Eyecryl phakic toric intraocular lens (IOL) (Biotech Healthcare).

METHODS

This retrospective study included patients with myopia or myopic astigmatism eligible for phakic IOL implantation with either the ICL/TICL or Eyecryl phakic/Eyecryl phakic toric IOL. Vault changes in varying light conditions (scotopic, mesopic, and photopic) were assessed using an anterior segment optical coherence tomography-based tomographer and dynamic vault range (DVR) was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 60 eyes from 36 patients (30 eyes in each group) with a mean age of 28.63 ± 6.36 years were included. The mean postoperative follow-up at the time of assessment was 9.4 ± 5.3 and 8.9 ± 5.28 months (P = .75) in the ICL and Eyecryl groups, respectively. The mean values of scotopic, mesopic, and photopic vault were 490.56 ± 238.64, 453.56 ± 224.30, and 373.96 ± 200.24 μm in the ICL group and 515.46 ± 174.34, 490.26 ± 184.04, 450.43 ± 173.92 μm in the Eyecryl group (P = .32, .24, and .05, respectively). The DVR was 116.6 ± 59.29 μm in the ICL group versus 65.03 ± 31.78 μm in the Eyecryl group (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Eyecryl phakic IOL showed significantly fewer light-induced changes in the central vault height (DVR) compared to the ICL, which may be attributed to the difference in the material of the two phakic IOL models. This may be clinically significant in eyes with low postoperative vaults with respect to their follow-up and risk assessment of cataractogenesis in the long term. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(8):546-554.].

Diagnostic Techniques to Increase the Safety of Phakic Intraocular Lenses

Preoperative and postoperative diagnostics play an important role in ensuring the safety of patients with phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs). The risk of endothelial cell loss can be addressed by regularly measuring the endothelial cell density using specular microscopy and considering the endothelial cell loss rate and the endothelial reserve in accordance with the patient's age when deciding whether to explant a pIOL. The anterior chamber morphometrics, including the anterior chamber depth and the distance between the pIOL and the endothelium, measured using Scheimpflug tomography and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), can help to assess the risk of the endothelial cell loss. In patients undergoing posterior chamber pIOL implantation, accurate prediction of the vault and its postoperative measurements using AS-OCT or Scheimpflug tomography are important when assessing the risk of anterior subcapsular cataract and secondary glaucoma. Novel approaches based on ultrasound biomicroscopy and AS-OCT have been proposed to increase the vault prediction accuracy and to identify eyes in which prediction errors are more likely. Careful patient selection and regular postoperative follow-up visits can reduce the complication risk and enable early intervention if a complication occurs.

Rotational Stability After Implantation of Two Different Phakic Toric Intraocular Lenses

PURPOSE

To compare clinical outcomes and rotational stability of the toric implantable Collamer lens (TICL) and toric implantable phakic contact lens (TIPCL).

METHODS

Charts were reviewed from January 2011 to January 2023 to identify all TICLs and TIPCLs implanted by a single surgeon. Implant size was generally chosen according to the manufacturer's recommendation, but 15 TIPCLs 0.25 mm larger than recommended to increase vaulting were included.

RESULTS

Eighty-four TICLs and 98 TIPCLs were identified and yielded excellent refractive and visual results in eyes with high myopic astigmatism at the last follow-up visit. No case of acute glaucoma or cataract induction was observed. In total, 15 (8.2%) rotated lenses were recorded; 2 (2.4%) TICLs and 13 (13.3%) TIPCLs (P = .013). Eyes in both groups were similar in preoperative spherical equivalent, cylinder, white-to-white distance, anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle, and mean follow-up times (P = .925, .673, .822, .794, .358, and .873, respectively). Average TICL size was larger than TIPCL size (P < .001). Rotation of the lenses was positively correlated with cylinder and negatively correlated with ACD but not with vaulting (P = .001, r = 0.253; P = .011, r = -0.193; P = .488, r = -0.057; respectively). Vaulting was positively correlated with preoperative ACD (P ≤ .001, r = .329). In eyes with a rotated TIPCL, preoperative cylinder was higher and ACD was shallower than in eyes with a stable TIPCL (P = .001 and .007, respectively). Increasing the implant size had no significant effect on rotation rate (P = .685).

CONCLUSIONS

Although both implants were safe and effective in highly myopic eyes, TICL rotated less frequently than TIPCL and required fewer secondary interventions. Rotation was correlated with preoperative cylinder and ACD but not lens vaulting. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(7):463-472.].

Long-term results of a new posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens in patients with high myopia: 5-year results

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term refractive outcomes of Eyecryl posterior chamber spherical phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation in high myopia and endothelial cell density (ECD) change.

SETTING

Beyoglu Eye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.

DESIGN

Retrospective.

METHODS

Eyes that were not suitable for corneal refractive surgery, had high myopia between -6.00 diopters (D) and -20.00 D, had Eyecryl posterior chamber spherical pIOL implantation, and had at least 5 years of follow-up were included. Preoperative ECD was ≥2300 cells/mm 2 and cylindrical value was ≤2.0 D in all cases. Preoperative and postoperative first, third, and fifth years of refraction, uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA/CDVA), and ECD were recorded.

RESULTS

36 eyes of 18 patients were examined. The mean UDVA and CDVA in postoperative fifth years were 0.24 ± 0.19 logMAR and 0.12 ± 0.18 logMAR, respectively. The safety and efficacy indices were 1.52 ± 0.54 and 1.14 ± 0.38, respectively. At 5 years, the spherical equivalent was ±0.50 D in 75% of eyes and ±1.00 D in 92% of eyes. After 5 years, the mean cumulative ECD loss was 6.91% ( P = .07). The annual ECD loss was 1.57% in the first year, 0.26% between 1 year and 3 years, and 2.38% between 3 years and 5 years. Asymptomatic anterior capsule opacity developed in 1 eye 4 years after surgery. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment developed in 1, and myopic choroidal neovascular membrane occurred in 1 eye.

CONCLUSIONS

Eyecryl posterior chamber spherical pIOL implantation is one of the effective and safe refractive surgical methods in correcting high myopia with predictable and stable refractive results over a 5-year period. Longer-term studies are needed for complications such as decreased ECD, retinal complications, and lens opacity.

EVO/EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lenses for the correction of myopia and myopia with astigmatism

INTRODUCTION

Intraocular lens implantation in phakic eyes for the correction of refractive error is currently a widespread procedure. The EVO and EVO+ Visian Implantable Collamer Lenses (ICL) are two of the most prevalent lenses implanted. They incorporate a central orifice to avoid the need for iridotomy. The main difference between both ICL is the higher optical diameter zone provided by the EVO+, allowing a better quality of vision at night. This review aims to provide an overview of the current ICL models available for correcting myopia and myopic astigmatism.

AREAS COVERED

During the last decade, more than 100 scientific papers analyzing the performance of EVO and EVO+ lenses have been published. This review describes the objective visual performance achieved with the implantation of central hole ICL lenses and the subjective perception of the patients implanted with these lenses. In addition, the safety and the potential complications associated with undergoing an EVO and EVO+ ICL implantation have been addressed.

EXPERT OPINION

Refractive surgeons and candidates to undergo ICL implantation should be aware of the excellent safety and visual outcomes provided by the implantation of central hole ICL lenses. However, future research could address minor issues currently not resolved.

Factors leading to realignment or exchange after implantable collamer lens implantation in 10 258 eyes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the incidence, causes, and outcomes of implantable collamer lens (ICL) realignment or exchange after implantation of the EVO-ICL.

SETTING

Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, China.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

The study included 10 258 consecutive eyes after ICL implantation. Preoperative refractive and biometric measurements were compared between eyes with and without realignment or exchange. For eyes with ICL realignment or exchange, visual and biometric outcomes were also compared before and after ICL realignment or exchange.

RESULTS

The overall incidence of ICL realignment or exchange was 0.21% 22 eyes. 12 eyes (0.12%) underwent ICL realignment by axis rotation (10 eyes) or ICL exchange (2 eyes) due to toric ICL (TICL) misalignment. After realignment, uncorrected distance visual acuity improved, and residual cylinder decreased from -1.75 ± 0.48 diopters (D) to -0.87 ± 0.59 D ( P = .01). 10 eyes (0.10%) underwent vertical rotation of ICL (3 eyes) or ICL exchange (7 eyes) due to excessive vault. After either vertical rotation or ICL exchange, vault decreased significantly ( P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of ICL realignment or exchange after ICL implantation is low. TICL misalignment and excessive vault are 2 main causes. Implant exchange may be performed for excessive vault or misalignment with an insufficient vault. In addition, vertical rotation of an ICL may be a less invasive method to treat excessive vault in certain cases.

Clinical Outcomes of Toric Implantable Collamer Lens (T-ICL) and Toric Implantable Phakic Contact Lens (IPCL) for High Myopia with Astigmatism: A Comparative Study

Background:

Our study aimed to compare the clinical, visual outcomes, and efficacy of toric Implantable Collamer Lens (T-ICL) and toric implantable phakic contact lens (IPCL) in patients with high myopia and astigmatism over a follow-up period of 6 months.

Methods:

A prospective interventional randomized comparative study included 60 myopic eyes divided into 2 groups, group A including 30 eyes that were implanted with T-ICL, and group B, including 30 eyes that were implanted with toric IPCL. The refractive results, visual acuity, central corneal endothelial cell count, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were evaluated at baseline and at 1 and 6 months post-surgery. Any complications either during or after surgery were assessed.

Results:

In both study groups, the mean central corneal endothelial cell count was significantly decreased after 1 month and improved to reach near pre-operative values after 6 months postoperatively, indicating good lens biocompatibility. A statistically significant increase in IOP was found in both groups during the early follow-up, and a significant decrease after 6 months postoperatively (p=0.036) was reported in group A. A significant reduction in both spherical and cylindrical refractive errors with good predictability was reported in both groups compared with pre-operative values. Regarding the predictability, In T-ICL group (A), the median spherical and cylindrical errors were significantly improved from (-10 D & -4.5 D) pre-operatively to (-0.3 D & - 0.3 D) at the end of 6 months follow up period. Similarly, in the toric IPCL group (B), the median spherical and cylindrical errors were significantly improved from (-11 D & -4.5 D) pre-operatively to (-0.3 D & - 0.3 D) by the end of follow up period. A statistically significant improvement of UCDVA at 6 months postoperatively was found in both groups, as median preoperative LogMAR UCDVA was 1.1 and 1.3 in groups A and B respectively, which was improved to 0.3 in both groups at the end of follow-up period. There were no reported intra- or postoperative complications such as cataract, keratitis, or lens decentration.

Conclusion:

Toric IPCL is a suitable alternative to T-ICL for the management of high myopia with astigmatism, especially in developing countries, as it is cheaper and easier to implant than T-ICL. However, data over longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm its safety and stability.

Outcomes of the EVO ICL Using a Customized Non-horizontal or Horizontal Implanting Orientation Based on UBM Measurement: A Pilot Study

Introduction

To evaluate the short-term safety and efficacy of the EVO implantable collamer lens (ICL) using a customized implanting orientation design based on ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM) measurement.

Methods

The prospective case series included 310 eyes of 158 patients treated with ICL. To achieve an optimal vault, an ICL of specific size was chosen and implanted in a customized orientation according to assessment of sulcus-to-sulcus (STS) diameters, distance between STS plane and crystalline lens (STSL), the morphology of ciliary sulcus (MCS), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and white-to-white (WTW). With the new design, there were 138 eyes with a non-horizontal orientation and 172 eyes with a horizontal orientation of the ICL. Refractive and ICL vault statuses were followed up for 1 day and 1 month postoperatively.

Results

The safety index at 1 month was 1.34 ± 0.17 for the non-horizontally implanted group and 1.33 ± 0.16 for the horizontally implanted group; the efficacy index was 1.21 ± 0.18 for the non-horizontally implanted group and 1.18 ± 0.16 for the horizontally implanted group. All eyes achieved an uncorrected distance visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better. No significant difference in endothelial cell density was observed between the preoperative value (2792.6 ± 247.6 cells/mm²) and value at 1 month postoperatively (2744.2 ± 243.3 cells/mm²), and no cataract or anterior subcapsular opacification was observed. Ideal vault (250–750 μm) was achieved in 84% of eyes (260/310).

Conclusion

The customized ICL design of implanting orientation based on UBM measurement provides good safety, efficacy, and vault predictability.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40123-022-00498-8.

Initial clinical outcomes of two different phakic posterior chamber IOLs for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to document clinical outcomes of 2 posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses with a central hole, the implantable contact lens (IPCL V2.0) and the Visian implantable collamer lens V4c (ICL), in myopic and myopic-astigmatic patients.

METHODS

Retrospective study comprising 111 IPCL (60 toric) and 106 ICL implantations (59 toric) with a follow-up of 3 months to 2 years. Primary outcome was uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) improvement; secondary outcomes were changes in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and complications.

RESULTS

At 3 months postoperatively, 76% of plano targeted eyes in the IPCL group and 83% of eyes in the ICL group had a UDVA of 20/20 or better. Ninety-six percent of IPCL implanted eyes and 94% of ICL implanted eyes had a postoperative UDVA within 1 line of preoperative CDVA. One eye lost one line of CDVA after IPCL implantation, and no lines were lost after ICL implantation; 33.7% of IPCL eyes and 40.6% of ICL eyes gained at least 1 line of CDVA. Cataract extraction (none because of anterior subcapsular opacification) was performed after 4 ICL implantations, none after IPCL implantation. Endothelial cell loss was mild with both pIOLs. Mean IOP was not clinically significantly affected at 3 months or thereafter.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed equally excellent (statistically not different) results with the IPCL and ICL for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism, at least up to 2 years post implantation. Longer follow-up is needed to determine the stability of these results especially with the IPCL.

Toric Implantable Collamer Lens for the Treatment of Myopic Astigmatism

Purpose

To report visual outcomes following surgical correction of myopic astigmatism with Visian Toric implantable collamer lens (ICL) (STAAR Surgical, Monrovia, CA, USA) at a single tertiary refractive center in the United States.

Patients and Methods

Toric ICL was implanted in 96 eyes (55 patients) with mean preoperative sphere of −8.98 ± 3.04 diopters (D) and cylinder of −2.67 ± 1.02 D from December 2018 to February 2021. Primary visual outcomes of efficacy, safety, stability, predictability of refractive correction, and astigmatic analysis were reported at three and twelve months postoperatively. Secondary subjective outcomes included patient-reported dry eye symptoms and glare/halos at postoperative visits. Other secondary outcomes were biometric data and postoperative vault over time.

Results

At three and twelve months, 75 and 46 eyes were evaluated, respectively. At twelve months, the mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE) was −0.23 ± 0.47 D with 93% achieving within ±1.00 D of target refraction. The manifest refractive cylinder (MRC) at twelve months was −0.73 ± 0.51 D, with 86% within ±1.00 D of target. Uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/20 or better in 74% of eyes at twelve months. No patients lost ≥2 lines of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at twelve months. The mean angle of error was −0.9 ± 10.2° at three months and −1.6 ± 12.8° at twelve months. One patient required bilateral lens rotation, four patients underwent secondary enhancement with LASIK/PRK, and seven patients underwent postoperative limbal relaxing incisions.

Conclusion

This initial single-site experience finds Toric ICL implantation for myopic astigmatism to be safe and effective. Patients can achieve markedly improved UDVA in a single surgery with stable vision over time and minimal adverse subjective symptoms.