Pseudophakic ametropia managed with a phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens

A prospective pilot study using a low power piggy-back toric implantable Collamer lens to correct residual refractive error after multifocal IOL implantation

Purpose

To assess whether residual refractive error after in-the-bag multifocal intraocular lens (mIOL) implantation can efficaciously and safely be corrected with a piggy-back low power Visian Toric Implantable Collamer Lens^® (VTICL, STAAR Surgical) placed in the ciliary sulcus.

Patients and methods

Twenty-four eyes of 23 patients (mean age: 57.5 years) with diminished uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of ≥2 lines due to residual refractive error after mIOL implantation were included in the study. VTICL size was calculated using the standard STAAR Visian ICL calculation software for phakic eyes. Postoperative study visits (1 day, 1 week, 3 months and 6 months after VTICL implantation) included UDVA, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), VTICL axis alignment, vault (space between mIOL and VTICL), IOP and documentation of adverse events.

Results

At 6 months, mean UDVA (logMAR) increased from 0.26 preoperatively to −0.01 (P<0.001) while mean CDVA remained unchanged. Mean VTICL misalignment from the preoperative target axis was 5.3° and mean vault was 1385 µm. In the initial phase of the study, 2 VTICL had to be exchanged due to oversizing.

Conclusion

Piggy-back low power VTICL can efficaciously correct residual refractive error after mIOL implantation and significantly increase UDVA. Advantages of this novel surgical approach include: VTICL availability in small diopter steps, no significant surgical-induced astigmatism, atraumatic and reversible procedure.

Off-Label Use of Phakic Intraocular Lens with a "Piggyback" Technique

Purpose

We report a case of a highly myopic pseudophakic patient who received off-label placement of a phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) via a “piggyback” technique, allowing the placement of an intraocular lens (IOL) in his fellow eye, resulting in improved visual acuity and emmetropia.

Case Report

A 66-year-old, highly myopic, pseudophakic male with an IOL implant in his left eye was referred for second opinion for surgical options for his phakic right eye. Given the severe myopic status of both eyes, he received off-label placement of a posterior chamber pIOL with a piggyback technique for the pseudophakic left eye followed by standard cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in the right eye. For the left eye, uncorrected best visual acuity improved from 20/70 to 20/25.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the successful off-label use of a phakic IOL in a pseudophakic, highly myopic patient with a piggyback technique, resulting in improved visual acuity and ultimately allowing IOL placement in the fellow eye for emmetropia. This off-label use of pIOL can offer ophthalmologists an alternative option for pseudophakic patents with severe refractive error.

Management of pseudophakic myopic anisometropic amblyopia with piggyback Visian® implantable collamer lens

PURPOSE

To assess the outcomes of sulcus implantation of the Visian^® implantable collamer lens (ICL) to correct pseudophakic myopic anisometropic amblyopia with myopic shift and/or primary refractive overcorrection.

METHODS

Prospective case series enrolled 14 pseudophakic eyes of 14 patients, 5-9 years old, with history of cataract surgery and primary in the bag-intraocular lenses (IOL) implantation, followed by myopic shift and/or refractive overcorrection and anisometropic amblyopia of variable degrees. All cases had implantation of a piggyback ICL/toric ICL, to correct the myopia/myopic astigmatism. Preoperatively, we evaluated the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), intraocular pressure (IOP) and endothelial cell density (ECD). We assessed the position and vaulting of the ICLs on slit lamp examination and confirmed by Scheimpflug tomography. Postoperative follow-up was at 1st week and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 months.

RESULTS

Uncorrected distance visual acuity improved in all cases, and CDVA improved in 11 amblyopic eyes (2-4 lines). There was no evidence of interlenticular opacification (ILO) throughout the 2-year follow-up. Two cases were complicated with early postoperative acute elevation of IOP and were controlled with topical beta-blockers. Postoperative acute anterior uveitis occurred in six eyes and controlled by topical steroids. Implantable collamer lens (ICL) vault was measured using Pentacam, with mean value of 470 ± 238 μm.

CONCLUSION

Sulcus implantation of the secondary piggyback ICL to correct unilateral pseudophakic myopic refractive error in children was safe, efficient, predictable and well tolerated in management of anisometropic amblyopia in all eyes.

Pseudophakic ametropia management with toric implantable collamer lens with a central hole (case report)

BACKGROUND

To report the clinical outcomes of correcting pseudophakic ametropia using toric implantable collamer lens with a 360 um central hole (TICL V4c).

CASE PRESENTATION

The right eye of a 22-year-old male patient developed high myopia after unilateral phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation following traumatic cataract 16 years ago. The manifest refraction was -11.50 DS/-2.50 DC × 175 with an uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/2000 and a corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) of 20/20. The manifest refraction of left eye was -6.25 DS/-3.75 DC × 180 with UDVA 20/200 and CDVA 20/20. Both eyes were implanted posterior chamber TICL V4c lens. Postoperatively, the refractive errors were +1.00 DS/-0.50 DC × 50 with UDVA 20/16 and CDVA 20/16 in the right eye and +0.75 DS/-0.75 DC × 45 with UDVA 20/16 and CDVA 20/13 in the left eye, respectively. No complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

TICL V4c is safe, effective and predictable in managing pseudophakic ametropia.

Implantable collamer lens for correction of ametropia in eyes with corneal scarring

CASES

Two cases are reported in which implantation of a collagen copolymer phakic intraocular lens (implantable collamer lens) corrected refractive errors in eyes with corneal scarring. A previous accident, in both cases, resulted in a central linear scar on the surface of the cornea of one eye. In the first patient, a corneal scar was visible in the left eye. The distance corrected visual acuity was 0.3 (-7.75 -4×160°). An uncorrected distance visual acuity of 0.25 was obtained by implanting an implantable collamer lens. In the second patient an oblique corneal scar was visible in the right eye. The distance corrected visual acuity was 0.25 (-8.75 -1.25×8°), and after implantation of the implantable collamer lens, uncorrected distance visual acuity was 0.25.

DISCUSSION

The indications of the implantable collamer lens should be reviewed and possibly expanded.

Phakic Intraocular Lenses and their Special Indications

Phakic intraocular lenses revolutionize refractive surgery and continue to serve as an excellent option for vision correction in patients who are not ideal candidates for laser vision correction. This article will review special indications of phakic intraocular lenses in the clinical practice.

Phakic Intraocular Lenses

An analytical review of the data available in the field of phakic intraocular lens implantation was conducted. Particular attention was paid to the more critical issues of intraocular lens sizing and safety guidelines. A comprehensive, competitive analysis of different implantation sites, intraocular lens model designs, and safety guidelines has been included. Specialized biometry techniques, such as very high frequency ultrasound and Scheimpflug imaging, have been reviewed, and a critical review of commercial claims regarding intraocular lens technologies has been included. Clinical studies of phakic intraocular lenses demonstrate increasing promise for the correction of refractive errors not amenable to mainstream excimer laser refractive surgery. The main issues currently revolve around adequate lens design (VHF ultrasound study suggests that custom-design and sizing may be the most effective and safest approach for every phakic IOL model), because these devices will be required to remain physiologically inert and anatomically compatible with internal ocular structures and relations for several decades. The possibility of safe removing or exchanging the IOL should remain a feasible option over time. It is of utmost importance that we continue to critically evaluate current encouraging short-term outcomes, which are being extrapolated to the longer term by ongoing high resolution imaging and monitoring of the anatomical and functional relations of implanted phakic IOLs.

Secondary pigmentary glaucoma associated with piggyback intraocular lens implantation

A 51 year-old man developed bilateral pigmentary glaucoma with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) and signs of pigmentary dispersion syndrome after piggyback intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Cataract surgery had been performed with in-the-bag implantation of poly(methyl methacrylate) IOLs in both eyes. Increasing myopia was subsequently corrected with implantation of an AcrySofIOL (Alcon Laboratories) in the ciliary sulcus of each eye. After the second implantation, the IOP was unresponsive to antiglaucoma medications, the visual field was damaged, and the visual acuity decreased. Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed that the haptics and the sharp edge of the IOL were chafing the posterior surface of the iris. After the IOL in the sulcus was removed, the IOP was stabilized by medications. This case highlights the importance of the IOL choice for sulcus implantation to avoid the complications of pigmentary dispersion syndrome.