Surgical management of lens subluxation in Marfan syndrome

Scleral-fixated vs Iris-fixated intraocular lens in pediatric ectopia lentis: A systematic review

Numerous intraocular lens (IOLs) options are available for treating pediatric ectopia lentis, and this paper reviews recent literature on pediatric ectopia lentis treatment with iris-fixated and scleral-fixated IOLs. A comprehensive search was undertaken on PubMed, Embase, ProQuest, Cochrane, Wiley, SCOPUS, and EBSCO. Studies published in the last ten years that met the inclusion criteria were included in this review. Seventeen studies exhibiting low to moderate risk of bias were included in this review, with eight on iris-fixated IOL (IFIOL), six on scleral-fixated IOL (SFIOL), and three on both IOLs. From the included studies, these data were extracted and compared: best-corrected visual acuity, endothelial cell density, postoperative complications, IOL stability, and intraocular pressure. IFIOL and SFIOL show comparable lens stability, offer good visual rehabilitation, and demonstrate equivalent safety profiles. There is no discerning superiority between IFIOL and SFIOL in treating pediatric ectopia lentis. The choice of which IOL to implant depends on the surgeon's preference.

Pars plana lensectomy and iris-claw Artisan intraocular lens implantation in patients with Marfan syndrome

RATIONAL

The rationale of this study was to evaluate the visual and anatomical outcomes of pars plana lensectomy and iris-claw Artisan intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in patients with subluxated crystalline lenses secondary to Marfan syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective case series, we evaluate the records of 21 eyes of 15 patients with Marfan syndrome and moderate-to-severe crystalline lens subluxation who underwent pars plana lensectomy/anterior vitrectomy and implantation of iris-claw Artisan IOL at referral hospital from September 2015 to October 2019.

RESULTS

Twenty-one eyes of 15 patients (10 males and five females) with a mean age of 24.47 ± 19.14 years were included. Mean best-corrected visual acuity was improved from 1.17 ± 0.55 logMAR to 0.64 ± 0.71 logMAR at the final follow-up visit (P < 0.001). The mean intraocular pressure did not change significantly (P = 0.971). The final refraction showed a mean sphere of 0.54 ± 2.46 D and a mean cylinder of 0.81 ± 1.03 at the mean axis of 57.92 ± 58.33 degrees. One eye developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment 2 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Pars plana lensectomy and iris-claw Artisan IOL implantation seem to be a useful, impressive, and safe procedure with a low rate of complications in Marfan patients with moderate-to-severe crystalline lens subluxation. Visual acuity was significantly improved with acceptable anatomical and refractive outcomes.

Late internalized double-flanged polypropylene with canabrava technique in patient with marfan syndrome

INTRODUCTION

This paper reports the first occurrence of a late internalized flange due to capsular contraction syndrome after undergoing the double-flanged surgical technique.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 32-year-old woman with Marfan syndrome underwent phacoemulsification using the double-flanged technique in both eyes. Two years postoperatively, a slit lamp examination revealed a capsular bag with anterior phimosis (capsular contraction syndrome) and the external flange internalized. The patient was submitted for a new surgery to re-fixate the capsular bag. The procedure was successfully accomplished. The intraocular lens was centered by the end of the procedure without areas of traction. The patient presented with best corrected visual acuity of 20/25 in both eyes postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper recounts a successful re-approach of a late internalized double-flange two years after the first procedure in a patient that developed capsular contraction syndrome.

Primary scleral-fixated posterior chamber intraocular lenses in patients with congenital lens subluxation

Objective

We investigated the long-term visual outcomes and ocular complications of primary scleral-fixated posterior chamber intraocular lenses (SF-PC-IOLs) in patients with congenital lens subluxation.

Methods

We enrolled 53 patients (77 eyes) with congenital lens subluxation caused by ectopia lentis, Marfan syndrome, and Weill–Marchesani syndrome who underwent primary implantation of a SF-PC-IOL. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination include visual acuity (VA), intraocular pressure (IOP), intraocular lenses (IOL) position, intraoperative complications and postoperative complications. Cox regression analysis and survival analysis were used to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative complications.

Results

Seventy seven eyes from 53 patients were included. Mean age at surgery was 23 ± 20 years (5 to 67 years), with a mean follow-up of 39 ± 27 months (12 to 130 months). The best-corrected VA improved from 0.84 ± 0.55 to 0.26 ± 0.43 logarithms of the minimum angle of resolution (p < 0.001). Best-corrected VA improved postoperatively in 73 eyes (94%). The main causes of reduced vision after surgery were retinal pathologies and amblyopia. Complications included transient intraocular haemorrhage (2 eyes, 2.6%), early vitreous incarceration (2 eyes, 2.6%), retinal detachment (6 eyes, 7.8%) and IOL dislocation (3 eyes, 3.9%). Cox regression showed that postoperative eye trauma was a risk factor for long-term postoperative complications.

Conclusion

SF-PC-IOLs provide good visual outcomes in patients with congenital lens subluxation. The SF-PC-IOLs showed good stability, except in patients suffering from postsurgical eye trauma.

Incidence of retinal detachment after lens surgery in children and young adults with nontraumatic ectopia lentis

PURPOSE

To determine the incidence of retinal detachment after lens surgery in children and young adults with nontraumatic ectopia lentis.

SETTING

Population-based claims data.

DESIGN

Population-based retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Patients with nontraumatic ectopia lentis aged 30 years or younger who had undergone lens surgery with or without intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and had 1 year or greater continuous enrollment after lens surgery were included in the Optum deidentified Clinformatics Data Mart Database (2003 to 2019) and IBM MarketScan Databases (2007 to 2016). Both databases were assessed for sex, age, etiology of ectopia lentis, IOL implantation, and postoperative retinal detachment separately. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors for postoperative retinal detachment.

RESULTS

Among a total of 298 eyes (210 patients), IOL implantation was coupled with lens surgery in 151 eyes (49.8%) that underwent lens surgery for nontraumatic ectopia lentis. The median follow-up was 32 months in aphakic eyes and 29 months in pseudophakic eyes. Patients undergoing IOL implantation were older at the time of lens surgery (median age: no IOL, 6 years; IOL, 16 years; P < .001). Retinal detachment developed in 13 patients (14 eyes [4.7%]) 14 eyes (4.7%). Older age was the baseline characteristic that correlated most closely with the risk for retinal detachment (P = .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of retinal detachment was similar with or without IOL implantation after lens surgery for nontraumatic ectopia lentis in children and young adults.

The corneoscleral shape in Marfan syndrome

PURPOSE

To investigate the corneoscleral shape in Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients.

METHODS

Thirty eyes of 15 participants with molecularly proven MFS were included in this prospective, cross-sectional study. Optical biometry, Scheimpflug imaging, and corneoscleral topography (Eye Surface Profiler) were performed in all patients. Topographic data were compared to data from controls (25 emmetropes and 17 myopes). The raw three-dimensional anterior height data from MFS eyes and control eyes were exported for further analysis. Custom-made software was used to demarcate the limbal radius and to calculate the sagittal height in different concentric annuli centred at the corneal apex, placed in a pupil plane, for the central cornea (0-4 mm radius), peripheral cornea (4-6 mm radius) and sclera (6-8 mm radius) and the corneoscleral asymmetry.

RESULTS

Marfan syndrome (MFS) eyes had significantly lower values of mean sagittal height compared to non-MFS eyes in all three annuli (central cornea, corneal periphery and sclera (independent t-test, p < 0.01 except for the inferior area of the scleral radius: p > 0.05). The sclera was significantly more asymmetric in MFS eyes compared to myopes (independent t-test, p < 0.01 for both eyes), but similar to emmetropes (independent t-test, p = 0.17 and p = 0.93 for right and left eyes, respectively). In MFS eyes, scleral asymmetry was not found to be correlated with axial length (Pearson correlation coefficient, r < 0.30, p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The peripheral cornea and sclera of Marfan syndrome patients have a significantly different shape compared to healthy controls.

Bilateral Toric Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation for Correction of High Myopic Astigmatism in a Patient with Marfan Syndrome with Lens Coloboma: A Case Report

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is known to cause significant refractive error. Treatment options are limited in this condition for correcting refractive error. Clear lens exchange is done in these cases, but complication rates are high. Loss of accommodation is another concern in these young adults. We report toric phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation in improving the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) in a known case of MFS with lens coloboma. A 22-year-old female patient with MFS with inferior lens coloboma underwent bilateral toric pIOL implantation in the same sitting. Pre- and post-operative UCVA and best-corrected visual acuity were assessed. Central and peripheral vaulting of the pIOL in relation to the natural lens was also assessed. UCVA improved from 20/500 to 20/20 in the right and 20/550–20/20 in the left eye. Marked central vaulting with partial peripheral vaulting was achieved. There were no post-operative complications. Phakic IOL implantation surgery could be an effective approach to achieve excellent uncorrected refractive outcome in patients with MFS to treat high myopia.

Visual outcomes of lens subluxation surgery with Cionni modified capsular tension rings in Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is a hereditary disease with an incidence of 0.3% in the general population. Approximately 60% of MFS patients with FBN1 gene mutation will suffer ectopia lentis (EL) from the age of 3. With the development of EL, severe loss of vision will accrue because of lens tilt and glaucoma. Cionni modified capsular tension rings (MCTR) has been applied in the surgery for EL in MFS patients. To evaluate visual acuity and safety of using MCTR during lens subluxation surgery in MFS patients, 66 MFS patients (110 eyes) were included in our study, with the mean duration of follow-up of 4.7 months (SD 1.76 months). The capsular bags were preserved in 101 eyes (91.81%) with MCTR implantation. There was an overall significant improvement in BCVA at 1-month follow-up which was maintained at 3 months. Multivariable linear regression revealed that older age at first visit was associated with greater postoperative BCVA at the 1-month follow-up (P = 0.007). A significant difference was found between different degrees of lens subluxation and the length of surgical time and complications. At follow-up, only two eyes (1.98%) were identified to have developed retinal detachments. In conclusion, better visual outcomes can be achieved when patients received an early operation with MCTR implantation.

A scoping review presenting a wide variety of research on paediatric and adolescent patients with Marfan syndrome

Aim

The present study aimed to map and summarise the research on children, aged 0‐18 years, with Marfan syndrome, identify research gaps and point to research agendas.

Methods

A scoping review was systematically performed by searching multiple databases from January 1996 to April 2019. Primary studies presenting results on at least six individuals aged 0‐18 years with Marfan syndrome, diagnosed according to the Ghent nosology, were selected.

Results

From 2341 de‐duplicated records, 92 papers were included, mapped and described. Their topics were diagnostics (12%), cardiovascular matters (50%), skeletal matters (22%), ocular matters (9%), other medical aspects (5%) and psychosocial perspectives (2%). Most studies were from Europe and North America and published between 1999 and 2019 in subject‐specific or paediatric journals, while a few were published in genetics journals. All studies had quantitative designs, and very few were multicentre studies. Each study had six to 608 subjects for a total of approximately 5809.

Conclusion

A wide range of research topics on adolescent and paediatric Marfan syndrome was found, but qualitative studies and a focus on psychosocial matters were lacking. Future investigations addressing noncardiovascular consequences and patient experiences are needed, as well as studies reaffirming or replicating existing intervention study results.

Bimanual irrigation-aspiration for ectopia lentis and use of a small incision for 4-point scleral-sutured foldable intraocular lens and anterior vitrectomy in patients with Marfan syndrome

Purpose:

This study evaluated bimanual intracapsular irrigation-aspiration for ectopia lentis with use of a small incision for 4-point scleral fixation of a foldable posterior-chamber intraocular lens (IOL) and anterior vitrectomy in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective study of 18 eyes from 10 patients with Marfan syndrome who underwent surgical intervention for ectopia lentis at our clinic between July 2012 and September 2018. In this study, intraoperative and postoperative complications, uncorrected visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity, spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure, and endothelial cell density were evaluated.

Results:

No intraoperative complications were reported. In all cases, early postoperative evaluation revealed a clear cornea, round pupil, and well-centered IOL. Mean logMAR uncorrected visual acuity improved from 1.09 preoperatively to 0.56 postoperatively (P < 0.05). Mean logMAR best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.45 preoperatively to 0.17 postoperatively (P < 0.05). Aside from transient ocular hypertension, no postoperative complications were reported.

Conclusion:

The combined surgical technique presented above yields excellent visual outcomes with an extremely low incidence of complications. This approach is simple, safe, and effective in the treatment of ectopia lentis in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Visual outcome and surgical results in children with Marfan syndrome

IMPORTANCE

To determine visual and surgical results in children with Marfan syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Marfan syndrome involves ocular complications which can lead to visual disturbance and amblyopia. Data about the visual and surgical results in children with Marfan syndrome is vital for the clinical management of these patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis.

PARTICIPANTS

Eighty-two eyes of 41 patients with a genetically proved diagnosis of Marfan syndrome.

METHODS

Medical records of patients with Marfan syndrome were reviewed between 2007 and 2017. Ocular complications, visual acuity (VA) of patients with/without lensectomy and surgical method were evaluated.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

VA outcomes of patients with Marfan syndrome with/without surgical repair of ectopia lentis.

RESULTS

In 27 (66%) of the 41 patients a bilateral subluxation of the lens was visible and 14 (52%) patients received lensectomy. The mean age at initial presentation was 12.3 ± 9 years and mean follow-up was 3 years (range 1-7). VA varied from 1.2 to -0.1 logMAR at first examination. At initial presentation, mean VA was 0.1 ± 0.7 logMAR in patients with a normal lens status (n = 14) and 0.3 ± 0.5 logMAR in patients with subluxation of the lens (n = 27) (P < .01). VA improved from 0.2 ± 0.5 logMAR to 0.1 ± 0.5 logMAR (P = .06) in children with subluxation of the lens who did not need a lensectomy (n = 12) and from 0.5 ± 0.5 logMAR to 0.2 ± 0.5 logMAR (P = .02) in patients who were referred to lensectomy with/without secondary lens implantation.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In Marfan syndrome subluxation of the lens was found in the majority of children. Improvement of VA resulted in children with subluxation of the lens and following lensectomy.

Management Strategies of Ocular Abnormalities in Patients with Marfan Syndrome: Current Perspective

Marfan syndrome is an autosomal dominant genetic connective tissue disorder that results from mutations in the fibrillin-1 gene located on chromosome band 15q15-21. Fibrillin, a glycoprotein, is widely expressed throughout the body and contributes to the elasticity and force-bearing capacity of connective tissue. In the eye, fibrillin is a key constituent of the ciliary zonules, which suspend the crystalline lens in place. The zonular defect leads to ectopia lentis, which is a hallmark of Marfan ocular abnormalities and occurs in 60% to 80% of cases. Other less common ocular features of Marfan syndrome are increased axial length, astigmatism, and flat cornea. Visual function in Marfan syndrome could be affected in several ways: ectopia lentis, refractive error, amblyopia, retinal detachment, cataract, and glaucoma. Management of a subluxated lens starts with the correction of refractive error with eyeglasses in mild cases. In more severe cases, especially when the lens bisects the pupil, complete correction of refractive error is impossible without removing the subluxated lens. The best method for visual rehabilitation after lens extraction is still debated. Aphakic Artisan lens implantation at the time of subluxated lens removal results in good visual outcomes with an acceptable safety profile. Studies with longer term follow-up and larger sample populations are needed to evaluate the safety of this procedure in patients with Marfan syndrome.

Modified technique of endocapsular lens aspiration for severely subluxated lenses

PurposeSeverely subluxated crystalline lenses pose a difficult situation to anterior segment surgeons and can only be managed surgically by removal of the lens as well as the capsular bag. Several techniques have been described in literature for the management of such cases. We describe a modified technique of endocapsular lens aspiration by the limbal route for lens extraction through small incisions on the cornea.Patients and methodsThirty-two eyes of 16 consecutive patients with severely subluxated crystalline lenses were recruited in the study. All eyes underwent a modified technique of lens aspiration within the capsular bag using a single instrument, vitrectomy cutter, and irrigation cannula, followed by sacrificing of the capsular bag. The patients were either left aphakic or implanted with an open loop anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL Kelman Multiflex) and prospectively followed up for a period of 3 months.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 9 years 3 months±3 years (range 5-15 yrs). All eyes underwent complete lens aspiration within the capsular bag with no dislocation of the lens matter. ACIOL was inserted in 22 eyes (68.7%) and 10 eyes (31.2%) were left aphakic. All the surgeries were uneventful. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at 3 months post surgery was 0.47±0.11 logMAR which was significantly better than pre-operative BCVA (P=0.001). The percentage endothelial cell loss at 3 months was 7.1%. There was no evidence of glaucoma, corneal decompensation, or retinal detachment. The astigmatism which increased from 1.45D±086 preoperatively to 3.76D±2.02 1 week post-operatively due to sutures reduced to 1.97D±0.81 post suture removal at 3 months.ConclusionThe modified technique of endocapsular lens aspiration proves to be a simple and effective method of removal of the lens-capsular bag complex in severely subluxated lenses.

PARS PLANA VITRECTOMY AND LENSECTOMY FOR ECTOPIA LENTIS WITH AND WITHOUT THE INDUCTION OF A POSTERIOR VITREOUS DETACHMENT

PURPOSE

Posterior hyaloid removal during pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy for ectopia lentis is commonly performed, but may increase the risk of intraoperative retinal breaks and postoperative retinal detachment. This study evaluated outcomes after pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy with or without posterior hyaloid removal.

METHODS

This retrospective observational cohort study included ectopia lentis cases that underwent pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy (2005-2014), with or without intraoperative induction of a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). The primary outcome was postoperative retinal detachment. The secondary outcomes were the incidence of iatrogenic retinal breaks, and change in visual acuity.

RESULTS

Twenty-six cases were included. The posterior hyaloid was preserved intraoperatively in 11 cases (non-PVD group). In the remainder (15 cases), the vitreous was removed completely (PVD group). Postoperative retinal detachment occurred in 2 cases in each group (18.2% non-PVD vs.13.3% PVD, P = 0.7). Intraoperative breaks occurred more frequently in the PVD group (2 vs. 9 cases; P = 0.03). There was no difference in mean improvement in visual acuity (7 [PVD] vs. 3 [non-PVD] ETDRS lines; P = 0.2).

CONCLUSION

The preservation of posterior hyaloid attachment during vitreolensectomy for ectopia lentis was associated with fewer iatrogenic retinal breaks. Postoperative retinal detachment did not seem to be influenced by the choice of surgical technique.

Is an iris claw IOL a good option for correcting surgically induced aphakia in children? A review of the literature and illustrative case study

Refractive correction of aphakia in childhood can be a complex management issue following lensectomy for congenital cataract or ectopia lentis. Some children have inadequate capsular support to allow an 'in the bag' or sulcus fixated intra-ocular lens (IOL). In such cases, options for refractive correction include spectacles, contact lenses, or surgically fixed IOLs. Many methods of IOL fixation have been described, but none are widely adopted in children. In recent years, the iris-fixated Artisan Aphakic IOL has gained popularity, but there is still significant concern about the rate of corneal endothelial cell loss and IOL de-enclavation. Here, we review the current literature on the use of iris-fixated IOLs in children, the published data on endothelial cell loss and de-enclavation rates. We present a case illustrating the significant improvements in quality of life, which can be seen in selected children, and also the rate of endothelial cell loss, which can be encountered after initial surgery, and a re-enclavation event. We make the case that until more data are available on normal endothelial cell decline in early childhood, in addition to age-specific rates of endothelial cell loss and de-enclavation rates following surgery, the use of iris-fixated IOLs in children will continue to be a moot point and is unlikely to be widely adopted.

Delayed sclerotomy wound dehiscence after lensectomy and vitrectomy in Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome (MFS) is associated with abnormal fibrillin development that can cause morbidity and mortality. A case of acute onset hypotony due to sclerotomy wound dehiscence 13 years after 20-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy is reported in a patient with MFS. Slit lamp examination revealed a leaking sclerotomy wound and intraoperatively the source was noted to be the prior sclerotomy site. On postoperative follow-up, the patient's vision returned to baseline, and intraocular pressure normalized. Twenty-gauge sclerotomy wound dehiscence may occur years after surgery, especially in patients with abnormal collagen as in MFS.

Phacoaspiration with a Cionni ring versus pars plana lensectomy, vitrectomy and sutureless transscleral IOL fixation in pediatric patients with a subluxated lens

PURPOSE

To compare outcomes of phacoaspiration (PA) with Cionni ring-assisted posterior-chamber intraocular lens implantation (PCIOL) versus pars plana lensectomy (PPL) with anterior vitrectomy (AV) and sutureless transscleral fixation of the IOL (TSFIOL) assisted with fibrin glue in the management of a subluxated lens.

METHODS

In this prospective and comparative interventional study, one eye of children with a bilateral subluxated lens was randomized to undergo PA with PCIOL using a Cionni ring (group A: n = 14 eyes), and the other eye underwent PPL + AV with glue-assisted TSFIOL (group B: n = 14 eyes). The outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logMAR units and rates of complications at 12-month follow-up visits.

RESULTS

28 eyes of 14 children (age: 8.06 ± 4.49 years) were included in the study. BCVA improved from preoperative value of 1.21 to 0.4 (p = 0.001) in group A and from 1.53 to 0.31 (p = 0.001) in group B at month 12. There was no significant difference in the BCVA on comparing the two groups at month 12 (p > 0.411). Postoperative complications in group A included corneal edema (two eyes), Cionni hook capture (one eye), elevated IOP (one eye), and posterior capsular opacification (five eyes). In group B, corneal edema was seen in two eyes, hypotony in one eye, vitreous hemorrhage in one eye and pupillary optic capture in four eyes.

CONCLUSION

Head-to-head comparison of the two techniques demonstrates no significant difference in the rates of complications at month 12. The decision to choose either technique may be based on the operating surgeon's skill, experience and preference.

Unilateral fronto-temporal headache with ocular pain caused by lens subluxation due to spontaneous zonulysis

A 52-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) for left frontotemporal headache and left eye pain. In the ED, visual exam with extra-ocular movement was performed to rule out ocular pathology and brain imaging to rule out cerebral pathology. No abnormal finding was noted after evaluation of ED. Initial exam by an ophthalmologist was also negative with normal intraocular pressure. Left lens dislocation was found only after brain imaging. In subsequent second exam by an ophthalmologist with iridodilator, lens dislocation due to spontaneous zonulysis was finally confirmed. Hence, ED physicians should carefully review ocular as well as brain anatomy in such cases.