The Fate of Eyes with Anterior Chamber Intra-Ocular Lenses

Comparative study of visual outcome of newly designed scleral tuck lens and suture-fixated lens for rehabilitation of aphakia in various aetiologies

Purpose:

Visual rehabilitation in aphakia can be performed using several modalities. However, these modalities could be either technically difficult or expensive. Herein, we developed a scleral tuck lens to provide a simple and cost-effective solution for aphakia and compared its outcome with standard methods.

Methods:

A specially designed posterior chamber self-sustaining lens was implanted in patients with aphakia without capsular support because of different primary etiologies. The visual outcomes, as well as intraoperative and postoperative complications, were examined. The data were retrieved from electronic medical records, and visual outcome and complication rates were compared. The outcomes were also compared according to the etiology and age groups (pediatric and adults).

Results:

We found significant improvement in preoperative and postoperative visual outcome. We did not find any significant difference in visual outcome amongst suture-supported scleral fixated lens with scleral tuck lens.

Conclusion:

Satisfactory visual outcomes were noted with minimal complications; and comparable with gold standard suture fixated lens, however long-term follow-up is required.

Secondary Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation: Anterior Chamber versus Scleral Fixation Long-Term Comparative Evaluation

Purpose

To compare the long-term efficacy of a secondarily implanted flexible angle supported anterior chamber (AC) intraocular lens (IOL) with sclerally fixated IOL as a secondary procedure in patients with aphakia.

Methods

Sixty patients with aphakia were recruited for this study. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group I patients underwent secondary implantation with AC IOL (Kelman Z type multiflex Domi classic AC IOL) and Group II patients underwent secondary implantation with scleral fixated IOL (Hanita lens with two eyelets). Postoperatively, the patients were followed up at 1 week, monthly for 6 months, and at twice yearly intervals for 5 years (mean follow-up was 3 years).

Results

Best-corrected visual acuity of 6/18 or better was achieved in 36.6% (11/30) of patients in Group I and 30% (9/30) of patients in Group II after a mean follow-up of 3 years. The complication rate was higher in Group II as compared to Group I. The authors encountered a total of 23 complications in the sclerally fixated group and 11 in the AC IOL group (p=0.004). Uveitis and ciliary tenderness were the most common complications in Groups I and II, respectively.

Conclusions

For secondary implantation of IOL in aphakic patients, Kelman Z type multiflex Domi classic AC IOL is a better rehabilitation modality as compared to the scleral fixated Hanita IOL.

Air-assisted implantation of anterior chamber intraocular lens

PURPOSE

We describe a technique of air-assisted anterior chamber intraocular lens (ACIOL) implantation.

METHODS

Lens aspiration and ACIOL implantation was performed in patients with progressive subluxation of lenses associated with systemic disorders.

RESULTS

Surgery was performed in nine eyes of six patients. No intraoperative adverse events were noted. There was air leak from the main port in three patients while inserting the intraocular lens; however the ACIOL was successfully implanted after re-injecting air from the side port. The mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.67 to 0.25 log of minimal angle of resolution at 6-month follow-up. Mean intraocular pressure preoperatively was 14.54+1.38 mm Hg and 15.16+1.15 mm Hg at 6-month follow-up. Mean corneal endothelial count was 3,151+240.49 cells per square millimeter in the preoperative period and 2,947+194.9 cells per square millimeter at 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Air-assisted ACIOL implantation seems to be a safe and effective technique for implantation of ACIOL in cases with progressive lens subluxation.

Techniques of intraocular lens suspension in the absence of capsular/zonular support

Implantation of intraocular lenses has become the standard of care in the aphakic state. Ideally, the lens is placed in the capsular bag, which affords stable fixation at a position closest to the nodal point of the eye. However, there will always be instances where this will not be possible. Congenital weakness of the lens zonules in various conditions, trauma, and surgical complications of cataract surgery are just some examples. In this article, we review the methods that have been devised to allow intraocular lens implantation in the absence of capsular or zonular support. These include anterior chamber angle and iris-fixated lenses, as well as posterior chamber iris- and scleral-sutured lenses. The various lenses are described, and the techniques involved, advantages and disadvantages, complications, and results of each method are discussed. It is hoped that this article will provide a comprehensive overview of ways to deal with a problem that can still result in a very good visual outcome for the patient. This is particularly relevant given the many recent developments and refinements of methods in implanting intraocular lenses.

Retinal detachment in eyes with vitreous loss and an anterior chamber or a posterior chamber intraocular lens: comparison of the incidence

PURPOSE

To compare the incidence of retinal detachment within 6 months of cataract surgery complicated by vitreous loss in eyes with a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) or an anterior chamber IOL (AC IOL).

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.

METHODS

In this retrospective consecutive nonrandomized comparative case series, all cases of cataract surgery complicated by vitreous loss between January 1991 and March 1998 were reviewed. Included were patients who had thorough anterior vitrectomy and primary IOL implantation and at least 6 months follow-up. Exclusion criteria were congenital and traumatic cataract, previous intraocular surgery, and previous retinal detachment. Patients receiving an unsutured single-piece poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) PC IOL formed the PC group, while those receiving flexible open-loop single-piece PMMA AC IOLs formed the AC group. The incidence of postoperative retinal detachment in the 2 groups was compared.

RESULTS

Of the 151 eyes of 149 patients, 66 received a PC IOL and 85 received an AC IOL. Two eyes (3.0%) in the PC group and 2 (2.4%) in the AC group developed retinal detachment; the difference between groups was not statistically significant (P = 1.00, Fisher exact test).

CONCLUSIONS

In eyes that have vitreous loss and thorough anterior vitrectomy, AC IOL implantation did not appear to increase the incidence of retinal detachment.

Comparison of the results of primary and secondary implantation of flexible open-loop anterior chamber intraocular lens

PURPOSE

To assess and compare the results of primary and secondary implantation of flexible open-loop anterior chamber intraocular lenses (AC-IOLs).

METHODS

A series of 57 eyes of 56 patients with flexible AC-IOLs were reviewed in two groups. In group I (n = 35) an AC-IOL was implanted primarily, because of posterior capsule problems during extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), and in group II (n = 22) secondarily after intracapsular cataract extraction (ICCE). Follow-up was from 12 to 38 months.

RESULTS

Mean post-operative best-corrected visual acuity in group I was significantly lower (20/37.38) than that of group II (20/29.20) (p = 0.044). Best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 19 of 29 eyes (65%) in group I, and in 16 of 21 eyes (76%) in group II. The difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In group II 18 eyes (86%) maintained or improved visual acuity. In group I, 17 eyes (49%) had a total of 22 complications, while 7 eyes (32%) had 9 complications in group II (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Flexible open-loop AC-IOLs are suitable for both primary and secondary implantation to correct aphakia. Secondary implantation of flexible open-loop AC-IOLs after ICCE seems to have a more favourable visual outcome and a lower complication rate than primary implantation in complicated ECCE cases.

Intraocular lens complications requiring removal or exchange

Intraocular lens (IOL)-related complications are caused primarily by mechanical trauma, inflammatory or infectious complications, or optical problems. Complications may occur at the time of surgery or be the result of an ongoing postoperative process. Mechanical and inflammatory injury may produce corneal decompensation, cystoid macular edema, hyphema, uveitis, and glaucoma, causing reduced vision and in some cases chronic pain. Optical problems may be due to a wrong power of the IOL or to postoperative decentration or dislocation of the lens. Ophthalmologists should be aware of the indications for IOL removal or exchange in those patients who have ongoing IOL-induced injury or impairment. Removal or exchange of an IOL frequently involves a complex decision-making process and is often associated with immense technical challenge. Various medical and surgical treatments may be tried to correct IOL problems before the decision is made to remove or exchange the lens.

Extrusion of an anterior chamber intraocular lens complicated by Haemophilus endophthalmitis

PURPOSE

To describe a case of late postoperative endophthalmitis in a patient who had undergone anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation 6 years previously.

METHOD

Onset, course, and outcome of the patient's eye disease are presented.

RESULTS

The patient was initially examined with erosion of the eyewall, extrusion of the lens haptic, and endophthalmitis. Intraocular cultures disclosed the pathogenic organism to be Haemophilus influenzae.

CONCLUSION

Anterior chamber intraocular lens haptic extrusion can have grave consequences, including endophthalmitis and severe visual loss.

Flexible open-loop anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation after posterior capsule complications in extracapsular cataract extraction

OBJECTIVES

To analyze 50 cases of flexible open-loop anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation after posterior capsule rupture and vitreous loss and compare the results with those of other published series.

SETTING

North Riding Infirmary, Cleveland, England.

METHODS

This retrospective study, with a follow-up between 3 and 81 months, comprised all patients who had a flexible open-loop anterior chamber IOL implanted because of significant posterior capsule problems during extracapsular cataract extraction. The incidence of postoperative complications and best corrected visual acuity results were determined.

RESULTS

Three patients with cystoid macular edema achieved final best corrected visual acuity of 6/9 (20/30). There was one retinal detachment and one traumatic incision rupture with IOL loss 6 weeks postoperatively and subsequent retinal detachment and phthisis. Seventy-two percent achieved a best corrected visual acuity of 6/9 (20/30).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results agree with those of other published series. Implantation of a flexible open-loop anterior chamber IOL as a primary lens is still an acceptable way of treating posterior capsule complications in cataract surgery.