Sutureless glueless intrascleral fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lens: Boon for aphakic

Potential role of the light-adjustable lens in flanged intrascleral haptic fixation

PURPOSE

To compare maximum tensile strength between commonly used 3-piece intraocular lens (IOL) for flanged intrascleral haptic fixation (FISHF).

SETTING

Willis-Knight Eye Institute, Shreveport, Louisiana.

DESIGN

Laboratory investigation.

METHODS

Haptic tensile strength was compared with MA60AC, CT Lucia 602, AR40E, and the light-adjustable lens (LAL). Haptic strength with a 24-diopter (D) IOL was compared across all lenses, as well as across a range of 10 to 30 D with the MA60AC. A custom device was created to hold the IOL in correct haptic orientation. The maximum tension (mean ± SD) was recorded in Newtons (N) when the haptic lost tension or broke.

RESULTS

CT Lucia was the strongest at 1.53 ± 0.11 N vs 1.00 ± 0.15 (MA60AC), 0.87 ± 0.19 (AR40E), and 0.83 ± 0.14 N (LAL) ( P < .001). The LAL and AR40E were similar to a 9-0 polypropylene suture while being significantly stronger than 10-0 polypropylene suture ( P < .001). No difference in haptic tension for the MA60AC from 10 to 30 D ( P > .05). High magnification revealed the highest haptic fractures for MA60AC at 40% compared with LAL, AR40E, and CT Lucia at 0%. CT Lucia and AR40E had 100% of haptics disinserted from the IOL without any damage compared with 60% LAL and 60% MA60AC. CT Lucia, AR40E, and LAL have a flatter haptic angulation at 5 degrees.

CONCLUSIONS

Haptic strength, durability, and angulation of the LAL may support the possibility of FISHF in the hands of experienced surgeons. However, further testing is strongly recommended to verify whether physiologic conditions or light treatments may compromise long-term haptic stability.

Aphakia treatment with sutureless scleral fixation or retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lens implantation: visual acuity, anterior segment and keratometry outcomes

PURPOSE

Evaluation of anterior segment parameters using the Scheimpflug corneal topography 1 year after surgery in patients who underwent sutureless scleral fixation intraocular lens (SFIOL) implantation using the modified Yamane technique and retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lens (RPIOL) implantation.

METHODS

A total of 60 eyes from 57 patients who underwent sutureless SFIOL implantation and 57 eyes from 52 patients who underwent RPIOL implantation were included. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior-posterior corneal astigmatism, and keratometric values were assessed using the Scheimpflug corneal topography (Pentacam HR, Germany).

RESULTS

There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative UCVA and BCVA between the sutureless SFIOL and the RPIOL group (p = 0.236, p = 0.293, respectively). While there was no statistically significant difference in postoperative IOP between the two groups (p = 0.223), a statistically significant decrease in IOP was observed in both groups (p < 0.001). While there was no statistical difference between the sutureless SFIOL group and the RPIOL group in terms of spherical value (p = 0.441) and spherical equivalence (p = 0.237), there was a statistically significant difference in cylindrical value (p < 0.001). While there was a statistical difference in anterior astigmatism (p < 0.001), there was no statistical difference in posterior astigmatism (p = 0.405). There was no statistical difference in terms of ACV, ACD, and ACA between the sutureless SFIOL and the RPIOL group (p = 0.812, p = 0.770, p = 0.401, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In this study, although there was a statistical difference in cylindrical value and anterior corneal astigmatism between the sutureless SFIOL and RPIOL groups, vision was not affected. According to this study, sutureless SFIOL and RPIOL are two successful methods in terms of visual acuity, anterior segment, and keratometry outcomes in aphakic patients after phacoemulsification.

Comparison of three different intraocular lens implantation techniques in the absence of capsular support: sutured scleral, haptic flanged intrascleral, and four flanged intrascleral fixations

INTRODUCTION

After lens extraction, if the capsular bag insufficiency occurs, there are different IOL implantation techniques. IOL implantation in the posterior chamber is safer in eyes with low endothelial cell count, peripheral anterior synechiae, shallow anterior chamber, and glaucoma. Alternative approaches for scleral fixation techniques, both with and without sutures, continue to undergo development. In this study, we aimed to compare the postoperative outcomes of the sutured scleral fixation (SSF), haptic flanged intrascleral fixation (HFISF) and four flanged intrascleral fixation (FFISF) IOL implantation techniques in eyes with the absence of capsular support.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A hundred and thirty-seven aphakic eyes with the absence of capsular support were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups: group 1-SSF, group 2-HFISF (Yamane technique), and group 3-FFISF. Surgical time in minutes, preoperative and postoperative parameters such as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal astigmatism, lenticular astigmatism, intraocular pressure (IOP), specular microscopy, central macular thickness (CMT) were recorded. Pseudophacodonesis was assessed at 6 months postoperatively using a slit lamp, and early and late complications were recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 137 eyes, 69 eyes were included in the SSF group, 41 eyes in the HFISF group, and 27 eyes in the FFISF group. No statistically significant differences were observed among the three groups in terms of age, gender, preoperative mean BCVA, corneal astigmatism, IOP, endothelial cell density, and CMT. It was observed that the mean BCVA significantly improved compared to the preoperative visual acuity in all three groups. Postoperative lenticular astigmatism, pseudophacodonesis score, percentage of the endothelial cell loss were found to be higher in FFISF groups. The surgical time was found to be shorter in the HFISF group. IOL decentration was observed in 1.44% of the SSF group and 7.40% of the FFISF group. Cystoid macular edema was observed in 5.79% of the SSF group, 4.87% of the HFISF group, and 7.40% of the FFISF group. Retinal detachment was observed in 1.44% of the SSF group and 7.31% of the HFISF group.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimal technique for treating aphakia without capsular support remains uncertain. Surgeons are tasked with a complex decision, aiming for both excellent vision and minimal risk. This decision is based on their expertise, the distinctive ocular condition of the patient, and the availability of essential operating room equipment. In this study, the following findings were observed: in the HFISF technique, the average surgical time was found to be shorter, the SSF technique demonstrated greater stability in terms of astigmatism and pseudophacodonesis and the FFISF technique was recognized for its relatively straightforward application method. It is important to note that the three IOL implantation techniques yielded comparable outcomes in terms of postoperative BCVA, as well as early and late complications.

Modified Intrascleral Fixation for Repositioning the Dislocated Single-Piece, Rigid PMMA Intraocular Lens

PURPOSE

To describe a modified intrascleral fixation technique for repositioning single-piece rigid polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lenses (IOLs).

METHODS

Four patients with dislocated IOLs were enrolled. Surgical modifications included using ≤1-mm scleral incision for haptic externalization, placing the IOL haptic placement in scleral tunnels, and using 8-0 absorbable sutures. Patients were followed up for 6 months with routine ophthalmic examinations, corneal endothelial cell counts, and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time was 13.5 ± 5.45 months. The IOL was well centered and the spherical refraction improved (+10.25 ± 2.21 vs. -0.81 ± 1.59 D, P < 0.05), whereas the best-corrected visual acuity (pre 20/43 Snellen, 0.42 ± 0.33 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution equivalent and post 20/36 Snellen, 0.31 ± 0.22 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution equivalent; P = 0.235), intraocular pressure (pre 13.8 ± 3.21, post 13.55 ± 5.14 mmHg), corneal endothelium density (pre 2,423.8 ± 279.6/mm 2 , post 2,280.25 ± 350.7/mm 2 ), and total astigmatism (pre -1.94 ± 0.43, post -1.69 ± 0.59 D) remained unchanged. The average horizontal and vertical IOL tilt was 0.33 ± 0.22° and 0.81 ± 0.38°, respectively. Intraocular lens decentration was 0.10 ± 0.03 mm horizontally and 0.13 ± 0.06 mm vertically.

CONCLUSION

The modified intrascleral fixation technique shows encouraging midterm results in patients with dislocated single-piece, rigid polymethyl methacrylate IOLs. Larger samples and longer follow-up are required to confirm the outcomes of this technique.

Real world outcomes of sutureless and glueless sclerally fixated intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE

To report the outcomes of sutureless intrascleral fixation of a 3-piece intraocular lens in the ciliary sulcus, in a large cohort of patients with aphakia of various aetiology METHODS: Retrospective, non-comparative, single centre interventional study of 250 aphakic eyes of various causes, which underwent sutureless and glueless intrascleral fixation of 3-piece intraocular lens (IOL). All patients were required to have at least 3 months of follow up post procedure to be included in the study. Anatomical and functional outcomes obtained were statistically analysed for significance.

RESULTS

A total of 250 eyes of 246 patients were included in the study population. The average age was 56.5 years ± 16.4 (range 6-86 years). The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) significantly improved from 0.74 ± 0.6 logMAR (approx. Snellen equivalent 20/110) to 0.48 ± 0.36 logMAR (approx. Snellen equivalent 20/60), (p < 0.001) following surgery. Early postoperative complication (<2 weeks) included hypotony (n = 10, 4%), ocular hypertension (n = 38,15.2%) and vitreous haemorrhage (n = 50, 20%). Late complications included retinal detachment (n = 14, 5.6%%), cystoid macular oedema (n = 24, 9.6%), scleral erosion (n = 1, 0.4%), haptic extrusion to subconjunctival space (n = 3, 1.2%) and IOL subluxation or dislocation (n = 5, 2%) CONCLUSION: This cost-effective and easier technique of sutureless scleral fixated 3-piece IOL implantation provided good visual acuity outcomes in a large cohort of patients and was well tolerated.

Multipiece posterior chamber intraocular lens as sutureless, glueless scleral fixated intraocular lens

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to report the outcomes of sutureless, glueless multipiece posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) as scleral fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL) implantation in patients with poor or no posterior capsular support.

METHODS

Medical records of 45 eyes of 42 patients who underwent SFIOL implantation where no suture or glue was used to fixate intraocular lens (IOL) to the sclera from November 2016 to October 2017, with minimum 18 months of follow-up were retrospectively analyzed. The best-corrected visual acuity, indication of surgery, other significant eye examination findings, and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

Out of 42 patients, 62% were males and 38% were females. Mean age of subjects was 48.5 ± 16.5 years (range 13-79 years). Mean preoperative and postoperative visual acuity was 1.48 ± 0.6 Logarithm of the Minimum Angle of Resolution (logMAR) units and 0.6 ± 0.3 logMAR units, respectively. Most common complication was vitreous hemorrhage six eyes (13.3%) followed by postoperative hypotony in five eyes (11.11%). Other complications such as transient postoperative intraocular pressure rise, hyphema, tilted IOL, cystoid macular edema, retinal detachment were also noted.

CONCLUSION

Multipiece PCIOL used as SFIOL without any sutures and glue is a viable, cost-effective method of IOL implantation in eyes with aphakia following surgical complication or trauma, with comparable outcome to other techniques of SFIOL implantation.

Scleral Fixation of Intraocular Lens in Aphakic Eyes without Capsular Support: Description of a New Technique

Purpose

To study the efficacy and safety of a modified trans-scleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation technique in aphakic eyes when performed by ophthalmologists in training.

Methods

The study was conducted in an institutional setting that included 43 surgeries performed by surgeons training in small incision cataract surgeries. The data were analyzed for stability and position of IOL, refractive changes, best-corrected vision, and associated complications.

Results

Mean age of the subjects was 53.8 ± 18.5yrs (range 6–81yrs). Surgical aphakia (58.14%) was the most common cause. The corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly at six weeks (p = 0.0003). The mean residual spectacle correction was +0.74 ± 1.2D spherical equivalent (cylinder −1.6±1.5D at 84 ± 50°) at the 6th-month follow-up (24.35 ± 6.71wks). Lens tilt on ultrasound biomicroscopy (kappa 0.762; p < 0.001) and the IOL centration (kappa 0.411; p = 0.001), assessed by two independent masked observers, were satisfactory at the 6th-month visit. Transient postoperative vitreous hemorrhage was the most common complication (46.5%). Cellular deposits on the IOL surface (18.6%), cystoid macular edema (11.6%), subconjunctival haptic exposure (4.66%), and haptic slippage (2.33%) were the other complications.

Conclusion

This method of trans-scleral IOL fixation is an effective rescue procedure for eyes with deficient capsular support when ophthalmologists perform in training.

Evaluation of anterior segment structures with Scheimpflug camera in patients undergoing sutureless scleral fixation by modified Yamane technique

PURPOSE

To evaluate anterior segment parameters in patients undergoing sutureless scleral fixation intraocular lens implantation with the modified Yamane technique (SSF-IOL-MY) by using Scheimpflug camera system.

METHODS

Each group of 25 patients was included for aphakia undergoing SSF-IOL-MY and for senile cataract undergoing uneventful phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation (Phaco+IOL). Anterior chamber depth (ACD), iridocorneal angle (ICA), anterior chamber volume (ACV) and keratometric values were evaluated by Scheimpflug camera (Sirius, CSO, Italy) system.

RESULTS

It was seen that the ACD, ICA and ACV display wider structures in patients with SSF-IOL-MY group compared to Phaco+IOL group. However, the ACD (p = 0.828) and ICA (p = 0.219) have not a statistically significant difference, while ACV (p = 0.007) has a statistically significant difference. In terms of keratometric values of the patients, there was no statistically difference in K1, K2 and Kmax values (p = 0.348, p = 0.106, p =0.269, respectively). Although there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of anterior corneal astigmatism, posterior corneal astigmatism was statistically higher in the Phaco+IOL group (p = 0.192, p = 0.031, respectively).

CONCLUSION

SSF-IOL-MY surgery affects anterior segment parameters similar to the Phaco+IOL method, which is the gold standard in cataract surgery. In this surgery, it was approached to the gold standard method in terms of IOL position with the ACD, ACV and ICA values and the results of the corneal incision with the keratometric values.

Management of traumatic dislocation of crystalline lens: Retropupillary iris-claw versus sutureless intrascleral-fixated intraocular lens

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term efficacy and safety of posterior iris-claw lens and scleral-fixated posterior chamber lens for aphakia after traumatic posterior dislocation of the crystalline lens.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Out of 120 evaluated cases, 60 were randomly assigned in each group. A 23G vitrectomy was done and intraocular lens was implanted by two different techniques. Extensive preoperative and postoperative evaluation was performed including optical coherence tomography and Scheimpflug imaging. Follow-up was done on days 1, 7, and 28 at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months.

RESULTS:

A significant improvement was found in uncorrected visual acuity in both the groups. Surgical time in iris fixation was significantly less (P < 0.001), whereas pupil peaking and pigment release were more. Difference in mean intraocular pressure and change in astigmatism in both the groups were insignificant.

CONCLUSION:

Both the techniques had similar good visual results. Although operating time was shorter for iris fixation, it had several disadvantages, including immediate postoperative inflammation and ovalling of the pupil. However, scleral fixation had a better outcome in terms of postoperative complications.

Intraocular lens implantation in the absence of capsular support: scleral-fixated vs retropupillary iris-claw intraocular lenses

Cataract surgery via phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) placement in the capsular bag is the gold standard in the presence of adequate capsular support. However, when capsule and/or zonular fibers are weak or absent, alternate fixation strategies are required. Common alternative options include retropupillary iris-claw IOLs (RP-IC IOLs) and scleral-fixated IOLs (SF IOLs). In the present review of 87 articles with 2174 eyes implanted with RP-IC IOLs and 2980 eyes with SF IOLs, we discuss the published literature with respect to safety and efficacy. Although the studies reporting outcomes of these IOLs have been performed in patients with different concomitant conditions, visual and refractive outcomes were found to be comparable between RP-IC IOLs and SF IOLs. RP-IC IOL implantation seemed to provide equivalent or a potentially lower rate of complications than SF IOL implantation. Data from the literature also suggest that the surgical technique of RP-IC IOL implantation is relatively simpler with correspondingly shorter surgical times.

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.

Intraocular Lens Implantation in the Absence of Zonular Support: An Outcomes and Safety Update: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

PURPOSE

To review the published literature on the visual acuity results and complications of different surgical techniques for intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in the absence of zonular support.

METHODS

Peer-reviewed literature searches were conducted last in PubMed and the Cochrane Library in July 2019. The searches yielded 734 citations of articles published in English. The panel reviewed the abstracts of these mostly retrospective case series studies, and 45 were determined to be relevant to the assessment objectives. Three articles were rated as level II evidence, and 42 articles were rated as level III evidence.

RESULTS

Eight different types of IOL fixation techniques with at least 6-month follow-up were evaluated: anterior chamber IOL (ACIOL), iris-claw IOL, retropupillary iris-claw IOL, 10-0 polypropylene iris-sutured posterior chamber IOL (PCIOL), 10-0 polypropylene scleral-sutured PCIOL, 8-0 polypropylene scleral-sutured PCIOL, CV-8 polytetrafluoroethylene, and intrascleral haptic fixation (ISHF). Eight articles reported data comparing 2 techniques. The 45 studies had insufficient statistical power to compare the techniques conclusively. A qualitative analysis of similar types showed that trends in visual acuity outcomes were not inferior to those of ACIOL implantation, but the severity of preoperative pathologic features was not controlled for. Compared with ACIOL, complications of cystoid macular edema were higher in 10-0 polypropylene iris-sutured PCIOL and 8-0 polypropylene scleral-sutured PCIOL. Non-anterior chamber IOL techniques were less likely to report chronic uveitis. Chronic glaucoma was highest in the 8-0 polypropylene scleral-sutured PCIOL group. Although retinal detachment was infrequent overall, it was twice as common in both iris- and scleral-sutured PCIOLs (except CV-8 polytetrafluoroethylene suture) compared with nonsutured methods: ACIOL, iris-clipped IOL, and ISHF PCIOL.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence reviewed shows no superiority of any single IOL implantation technique in the absence of zonular support. The various techniques seem to have equivalent visual acuity outcomes and safety profiles. Each technique has its own profile of inherent risk of postoperative complications. Surgeons must educate patients on the importance of close, long-term follow-up as a result of the uncertain nature of these techniques. Large prospective studies are needed to confirm the long-term complication profiles of these various IOL implantation techniques.