Posterior Chamber Scleral Fixation of Intraocular Lenses in Post-Vitrectomised Aphakic Eyes

Different Methods of Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation

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Scleral Fixation of Akreos AO60 Intraocular Lens Using Gore-Tex Suture: An Eye on Visual Outcomes and Postoperative Complications

Purpose

“In-the-bag” placement of an IOL is the Holy Grail for any cataract surgeon. However, in the absence of capsular integrity, alternative surgical options to place the IOL must be sought. We aim to report the clinical outcomes and safety profile of scleral-fixated Akreos AO60 intraocular lens implantation using Gore-Tex suture, combined with pars plana vitrectomy.

Methods

This is a single-center, retrospective case series descriptive study. Electronic clinical records of all patients subjected to scleral fixation of a Bausch and Lomb Akreos AO60 IOL combined with pars plana vitrectomy, between April 1, 2017, and August 1, 2021, were reviewed. Data concerning age, sex, laterality, past ophthalmological history, pre- and postoperative best-available visual acuity, surgical indication, and intra- and postoperative complications were collected. Measured outcomes were the differences in best-available visual acuity and frequency of postoperative complications.

Results

A total of 37 eyes (20 right eyes and 17 left eyes) from 36 patients (16 females and 20 males) were included in the statistical analysis. The mean age at time of surgery was 72.0 ± 12.4 years. The mean follow-up period was 548.9 days (range 39–1564 days). Globally, the mean best-available logMAR visual acuity improved from 1.61 preoperatively (0.025 decimal equivalent) to 0.57 postoperatively (0.3 decimal equivalent), this difference being statistically significant (P < 0.001). Indications for surgery included aphakia due to complicated cataract surgery (24.3%; n = 9); subluxated IOL due to closed trauma (21.6%; n = 8); PEX-related subluxated IOL (16.2%; n = 6); non-traumatic, non-PEX-related subluxated IOL (18.9%; n = 7); subluxated crystalline lens due to closed trauma (8.1%; n = 3); aphakia due to open-globe injury (5.4%; n = 2); silicone-induced IOL opacification (2.7%; n = 1); and aphakia post-endophthalmitis (2.7%; n = 1). Postoperative complications included transient ocular hypertension (27.0%; n = 10), transient corneal edema (18.9%; n = 7), cystoid macular edema (18.9%, n = 7), self-limited hypotension (5.4%, n = 2), self-limited vitreous hemorrhage (2.7%, n = 1), central retinal vein occlusion (2.7%, n = 1), late retinal detachment (2.7%, n = 1), and Akreos IOL opacification (2.7%, n = 1). No suture-related complications were observed.

Conclusion

There was a statistically significant improvement in visual acuity after scleral fixation of Akreos AO60 intraocular lens using Gore-Tex suture, with no suture-related problems recorded. This procedure seems to be a valuable alternative for posterior chamber IOL placement when secondary IOL implantation is required.

Clinical effect of peripheral capsule preservation in eyes with silicone oil tamponade

BACKGROUND

At present, silicone oil has been widely used in vitrectomy to deal with complex fundus diseases. Usually, cataract extraction is combined with vitrectomy. However, reducing the complications of silicone oil tamponade and facilitating the secondary implantation of intraocular lens (IOL) are still an urgent problem.

AIM

To evaluate the clinical effect of vitrectomy combined with peripheral capsule preservation (PCP) in eyes with silicone oil tamponade.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective analysis included 70 patients (73 eyes) who underwent vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade combined with cataract surgery (stage I) between January 2015 and July 2019. All patients underwent selective reoperation for silicone oil extraction and IOL implantation (stage II) more than 3 mo after stage I. These patients were divided into three groups according to the different lens capsule preservation methods: 28 patients (31 eyes) in a whole capsule preserved (WCP) group, 17 (17 eyes) in a capsule absent (CA) group, and 25 (25 eyes) in a peripheral capsule preserved (PCP) group. Intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected visual acuity, surgery time, and other complications were recorded at each time point (1 d, 1 wk, and 1 mo after stages I and II).

RESULTS

The IOP values were 14.9 ± 8.2 mmHg in the WCP group, 20.3 ± 13.0 mmHg in the CA group, and 14.2 ± 9.7 mmHg in the PCP group (P < 0.05) at 1 mo after stage I operation. Five eyes had IOP higher than 30 mmHg, and one eye in the WCP group appeared to have silicone oil entering the anterior chamber. There was no significant difference in IOP among the three groups at any other time point (P > 0.05). With IOL implantation, visual acuity improved significantly compared to stage I. The incidence rate of posterior capsule opacity was higher in the WCP group than in the other groups (P < 0.001). In the CA group, IOL deviation due to suture relaxation occurred in one case. There was no significant difference in the surgery time among the three groups in stage I (P = 0.618). In stage II, the surgery time of the PCP group and WCP group was significantly shorter than that of the AC group (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

Preservation of the peripheral capsule in vitrectomy combined with lens removal is a better option. This method has significant advantages in reducing intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Dislocated Intraocular Lens Extraction and Iris-Claw Lens Implantation in Vitrectomized and Non-vitrectomized Eyes

Objectives:

To compare the outcomes and complications of dislocated intraocular lens (IOL) extraction and secondary iris-claw IOL (ICIOL) implantation in vitrectomized and non-vitrectomized eyes.

Materials and Methods:

This retrospective study included 19 vitrectomized eyes and 11 non-vitrectomized eyes that underwent dislocated IOL extraction and secondary anterior chamber ICIOL implantation between June 2014 and September 2017 and had at least one year of follow-up.

Results:

There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of demographic data, operative time, baseline anatomic and functional measurements, or postoperative changes in these measurements (all p>0.05). Postoperative best corrected visual acuity was significantly higher than preoperative values in both groups (both p<0.05). Complication rates did not differ between the groups (all p>0.05). In both groups, endothelial cell density was significantly lower at postoperative 1 year compared to preoperative measurements. There was no significant difference between groups regarding endothelial cell loss (p=0.49). One vitrectomized eye had corneal decompensation. Other complications included hyphema, transient increase of intraocular pressure, secondary glaucoma, pupillary irregularity, and dislocation of ICIOL. Mean operative time was 26.4±5.9 minutes.

Conclusion:

Dislocated IOL extraction and secondary anterior chamber ICIOL implantation is a safe treatment option in both vitrectomized and non-vitrectomized eyes.

Long-term outcome of scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation without conjunctival peritomies and sclerotomy in ocular trauma patients

Background

To investigate the long-term outcomes and complications of scleral-fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL) implantation without conjunctival peritomies and sclerotomy in patients with a history of ocular trauma with inadequate capsular support during primary pars plana vitrectomy or silicone oil removal.

Methods

Records of ocular trauma patients who underwent implantation of SFIOL without conjunctival peritomies and sclerotomy during primary pars plana vitrectomy or silicone oil removal.

Results

Sixty-nine eyes of 69 patients were included in this study. The median follow-up period was 34 months (range, 6–99 months). The average patient age at the time of surgery was 44 years old (range, 4–80 years). At the end of follow-up, the preoperative mean of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.79 ± 0.86 log of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR), which improved 0.20 ± 0.26 logMAR postoperatively (P = 0.01). BCVA improved or remained unchanged in 64 eyes (92.8%), VA decreased two lines in five eyes (7.2%). Early postoperative complications included transient corneal edema in seven eyes (10.1%), minor vitreous hemorrhage in four eyes (5.8%), transient elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in one eye (1.4%), and hypotony in three eyes (4.3%). Late postoperative complications included persistent elevated IOP in five eyes (7.2%), epiretinal membrane formation in three eyes (4.3%), and cystoid macular edema noted in one eye (1.4%).

Conclusions

Use of a scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation without conjunctival peritomies and sclerotomy in ocular trauma patients during either primary pars plana vitrectomy or second silicone oil removal is a valuable approach for the management of traumatic aphakia in the absence of capsular support.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12886-019-1172-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

[Complications in sutured scleral fixation of artificial lens implantation]

BACKGROUND

Sutured scleral fixation of an artificial posterior chamber lens is a frequently used method for the treatment of eyes with poor or absent capsular support; however, the complication profile is often considered unfavorable.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the postoperative complication profile.

METHODS

In this monocentric and retrospective analysis of a consecutive case series of patients with standardized sutured scleral fixation of a posterior chamber lens between 2007 and 2017, the documented complications were categorized as a permanent threat to visual acuity, such as endophthalmitis, choroidal hemorrhage, retinal detachment and clinically relevant but without a permanent threat to visual acuity, such as hemorrhage and hypotension. Additionally, the time point when complications first occurred was categorized into the 3 periods 0-3, 4-30 and ≥31 days.

RESULTS

This is the largest patient collective of a study with scleral fixation of a posterior chamber lens published so far. A total of 338 eyes from 338 patients were included in the study (women 47%) and the median postoperative follow-up period was 60 days (range 1-5833 days). In 68% of the patients at least 1 complication was documented. Complications with a permanent threat to visual acuity occurred in 3% (n = 10) of the patients. The most frequent clinically relevant complications were intraocular hypotension ≤10 mm Hg (35%; n = 119), pupil decentration (28%; n = 93), hyphema, iris or vitreous hemorrhage (10%; n = 34), secondary glaucoma (9%; n = 32) and iris capture (5%; n = 17). Of the complications 41% occurred within the first 3 days and 70% within the first 30 days. Revision surgery was carried out in 4.5% (n = 15) of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Although complications occurred in two thirds of the interventions, the number of permanent complications with a permanent threat to visual acuity was low. Scleral fixation of an artificial posterior chamber lens is still a justifiable intervention.