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

Postoperative complication rates in intraocular lens placement and fixation methods for inadequate capsular bag support: review and meta-analysis

TOPIC

To evaluate the complication rates of different intraocular lens (IOL) placement methods in adults with inadequate capsular bag support.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The surgical correction of inadequate capsular bag support for the IOL harbors several challenges, and there is a wide range of surgical procedures.

METHODS

For the purpose of this meta-analysis, surgical methods were grouped based on the location of IOL placement: (1) anterior chamber (AC) placement; (2) iris fixation, which included prepupillary or retropupillary placement of an iris-claw IOL, or iris suturing of an IOL; and (3) scleral fixation, which included scleral sutured and sutureless techniques. Only studies comparing the results of 2 or more different placement methods were analyzed. The study protocol has been registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023458557).

RESULTS

15 studies were included in the final analysis, which reported results of 1247 eyes. The overall complication rate was nonsignificantly lower in iris fixation (4.4%; 95% CI, 3.6%-5.4%, P = .150) than in AC placement (7.4%; 95% CI, 6.4%-7.9%) and scleral fixation (7.4%; 95% CI, 6.5%-8.4%). Transient corneal edema was the most common complication in AC placement (29.9%; 95% CI, 2.4%-57.5%, P < .001), compared with scleral fixation (11.9%; 95% CI, 2.6%-21.2%) and iris fixation (4.1%; 95% CI, 0.8%-7.3%). Vitreous hemorrhages were more frequently reported after scleral fixation (8.5%; 95% CI, 6.3%-11.2%, P = .006) than in AC placement (5.4%; 95% CI, 3.4%-8.5%) and iris fixation (1.4%; 95% CI, 0.4%-4.2%), and so was IOL decentration/dislocation (8.9%; 95% CI, 6.7%-11.8%, P = .047 compared with 1.1%; 95% CI, 0.4%-3.4% and 4.0%; 95% CI, 2.2%-7.3%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The risks associated with particular techniques should be taken into account in preoperative counseling and planning postoperative treatment.

Comparative Analysis of Effective Lens Position and Refractive Outcomes in Scleral-Fixated versus Intracapsular Intraocular Lenses

Purpose

To evaluate the outcomes of scleral-fixated intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted using either Yamane technique or Gore-Tex suture fixation, in comparison to intracapsular lens fixation, and to assess the efficacy of various lens formulas in achieving predicted refractive targets.

Patients and Methods

This study included 45 eyes from 44 patients with scleral-fixated IOLs, comprising 37 Yamane eyes and 8 Gore-Tex eyes. Preoperative refractive predictions from various formulae were compared with final postoperative refraction. Outcomes assessed included effective lens position (ELP), postoperative predictive error, and changes in visual acuity. The ELP of scleral-fixated IOLs was compared with that of intracapsular IOLs in fellow eyes.

Results

Average ELP for Yamane IOLs was 0.62 mm more posterior relative to intracapsular IOLs but was not significantly different for Gore-Tex IOLs. Average postoperative logMAR acuity change was significant at -1.30 (p=4.5x10-11) and -1.65 (p=5x10-4) for Yamane and Gore-Tex eyes, respectively. Mean prediction error for Yamane eyes was +0.29±1.3 D, -0.53±0.40 D, +0.80±1.4 D, and +0.43±1.4 D using Barrett Universal II, Holladay, Hill-RBF, and Hoffer QST formulas, respectively. Mean prediction error for Gore-Tex eyes was -0.37±1.24 D and +0.53±1.19 D using Barrett Universal II and Holladay formulas, respectively.

Conclusion

Different scleral fixation techniques result in variations in ELP compared to intracapsular IOL placement. In our hands, when using the Yamane technique, surgeons should aim for a myopic refractive target to offset hyperopic errors when employing the Barrett Universal II, Hill-RBF, or Hoffer QST formulas, and a hyperopic target when using the Holladay formula. For Gore-Tex IOLs, a slightly hyperopic target is recommended to counter myopic error when using the Barrett Universal II formula, whereas a slightly myopic target is advised with the Holladay formula to offset hyperopic error. A limitation of our study is the small sample size for patients who underwent Gore-Tex suture fixation.

Refractive outcomes of Carlevale IOLs compared to Artisan iris-claw IOLs considering the type of incision

PURPOSE

To compare the refractive outcomes and the complications of implantation surgery by the Carlevale IOL to the Artisan iris-claw IOL.

METHODS

Retrospective comparative study of consecutive surgical cases between 2019 and 2021 in our tertiary centre in Paris, France.

RESULTS

We included 142 eyes in the Artisan group and 63 in the Carlevale group. Post-operative astigmatism at one month was 2.3 ± 1.6 D in the Carlevale group, 3.3 ± 2.5 D in the Artisan group with corneal incisions, and 1.8 ± 1.4 D in the Artisan group with scleral incisions (p = 0.015). Surgery duration was higher (p = 0.007) with the Carlevale IOL (70.8 ± 31.3 min) than with the Artisan IOL (58.3 ± 23.2 min). The complication rates were similar at one month between the two groups (25.4% in Artisan, 27% in Carlevale). The mean follow-up was longer in the Artisan group (234.5 days vs. 77 days, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Artisan iris-claw IOL seems to induce higher astigmatism than Carlevale sutureless scleral-fixated IOL at one month when injected through a corneal incision, but not when injected through a scleral incision. Therefore cataract surgeons should avoid wide corneal incisions in implantation surgery whenever possible.

CONTRIBUTION FACTORS OF EFFECTIVE LENS POSITION, TILT, AND DECENTRATION DURING FLANGED SCLERAL FIXATION OF INTRAOCULAR LENS: A Model Eye Study

PURPOSE

The authors aimed to elucidate the factors related to effective lens position, tilt, and decentration of scleral fixed intraocular lenses (IOLs) with a flanged haptic technique in an artificial eye model using anterior segment optical coherence tomography.

METHODS

Two bent 27-gauge needles were passed through a 1.0- or 2.0-mm scleral tunnel, 2.0 mm posterior to the limbus and 180° apart. Both haptics of a three-piece IOL were docked with guide needles and externalized. Factors related to the IOL position were analyzed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography and a stereomicroscope.

RESULTS

The 1.0-mm scleral tunnel induced a significantly longer effective lens position than the 2.0-mm tunnel and suture fixation ( P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Discrepancy in scleral tunnel length induced higher decentration of the optic to the opposite side of the haptic-embedded shorter tunnel and tilt perpendicular to the fixed axis than that in the scleral tunnel of the same length ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). If the scleral fixation points of both haptics are not exactly 180° apart, the IOL may become decentered and tilted ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In the flanged haptic technique, the length, balance, and position of both scleral tunnels determine IOL effective lens position, tilt, and decentration.

Different Methods of Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation

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A novel Yamane technique modification: Reverse intraocular lens implantation for simplifying trailing haptic insertion

We described a modified Yamane technique for simplifying trailing haptic insertion in aphakia correction. In Yamane intrascleral intraocular lens (IOL) implantation technique, trailing haptic implantation is challenging for many surgeons. This modification provides an easier and safer way of trailing haptic insertion into the needle tip and decreases the possibility of bending or breaking the trailing haptic.

Secondary Sutureless Posterior Chamber Lens Implantation with Two Specifically Designed IOLs: Iris Claw Lens versus Sutureless Trans-Scleral Plugs Fixated Lens

Background. The management of patients with aphakia and/or lack of capsular support remains debated. The sutureless posterior chamber IOL (PCIOL) fixation is a very useful surgical option. The purpose of the study was to compare the early outcomes as well as post-operative best corrected visual acuity, refractive errors and complications of two different techniques of sutureless PCIOL secondary implantation. Methods. Patients who underwent secondary implantation from December 2019 to January 2021 in the Department of Ophthalmology of Creteil Hospital, and in the Granville Ophthalmology Center, were retrospectively included. Eyes implanted with the iris claw lens (Artisan Aphakia IOL model 205, Ophtec BV, Groningen, The Netherlands) were included in group 1, and eyes implanted with a newly developed sutureless trans-scleral plugs fixated lens (STSPFL, Carlevale lens, Soleko, Pontecorvo, Italy) were included in group 2. Results. Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients were enrolled in group 1, and twenty eyes of 20 patients in group 2. No difference was found in visual acuity between two groups (0.35 +/− 0.29 logmar for group 1 and 0.23 +/− 0.51 logmar for group 2) (p = 0.15) at mean post-operative follow up (6.19 +/− 3.44 months for group 1 and 6.42 +/− 3.96 months for group 2) (p = 0.13). Both the mean refractive error (MRE) and induced astigmatism (IA) were greater in group 1 compared to group 2, respectively: the MRE was 0.99 +/− 0.57 vs. 0.46 +/− 0.36 (p < 0.01), and IA was 1.72 +/− 0.96 vs. 0.72 +/− 0.52 (p < 0.01). Conclusions. No significant differences in terms of the recovery of visual acuity were found between the two groups. Group 2 (STPFL) gives better results in our sample due to less post-operative induced astigmatism and less refractive error.