Late dislocation of scleral-sutured posterior chamber intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To examine a recent series of late scleral-sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) dislocations to identify possible causes and preventive measures. SETTING: Price Vision Group, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. METHODS: In this retrospective non-comparative interventional case series, 5 consecutive patients received treatment for dislocated scleral-sutured PCIOLs between July 2002 and March 2004. Dislocated lenses were resutured or replaced with another scleral-sutured PCIOL. RESULTS: Dislocation of scleral-sutured PCIOLs occurred 7 to 14 years after implantation. Four dislocations were spontaneous, and 1 was precipitated by trauma. In each case, the suture affixing 1 or both haptics failed. There was no evidence that the suture had eroded through the tissue or that the knot had untied. Microscopic analysis of an explanted IOL with remnants of the suture attached showed localized degradation and cracking of the polypropylene suture material where it had been embedded in the scleral tissue. CONCLUSION: Suture-fixated PCIOLs can dislocate due to degradation of the suture material over time. The use of larger diameter (9-0 instead of 10-0) polypropylene suture material and placement of the haptic and sutures in the ciliary sulcus to promote attachment of scar tissue may enhance the long-term stability of scleral-fixated PCIOLs.     

Iris-sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation during penetrating keratoplasty

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical indications and postoperative results of iris-sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens implants performed during penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for preoperative indications and postoperative results of 342 consecutive patients (366 eyes) who underwent iris suturing of a posterior chamber intraocular lens implant during penetrating keratoplasty over a 9-year period. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 36 months. The principal indications for corneal transplantation were pseudophakic and aphakic bullous keratopathy. Mean postoperative best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was better than preoperatively at all measured time points (P < 0.0001) and improved from 20/474 preoperatively to 20/85 at 1 year. Nine eyes (7.7%) with known preoperative glaucoma required escalation of therapy by medication or surgery to control the intraocular pressure. Seventy-two eyes (29%) without known preoperative glaucoma required treatment of elevated intraocular pressure. Seventy-nine eyes (28%) without known preoperative cystoid macular edema were additionally diagnosed. Mean endothelial cell counts declined throughout the study time frame. Corneal donor rejection episodes occurred in 36 (9.8%) eyes, with the majority having a single episode. Overall, 27 (7.4%) eyes had known graft failure at last follow-up. Two eyes (0.5%) were enucleated following wound disruption. CONCLUSIONS: These long-term results of iris-sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens implants performed during penetrating keratoplasty suggest acceptable visual acuity, graft survival, and complication rates. They are similar to published retrospective and prospective results of flexible open-loop anterior chamber and transsclerally-sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens implants placed during penetrating keratoplasty.     

Visual results of suture-fixated posterior chamber lenses during penetrating keratoplasty

Between August 12, 1982, and June 30, 1987, 233 consecutive eyes had posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOLs) suture-fixated to the posterior aspect of the iris during penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). In all cases, insufficient capsular material was present to provide adequate fixation for the implant. Lenses were placed in 72 aphakic eyes as a secondary implant, and 159 lenses were placed after removal of another implant. Follow-up ranged from 1 year to 68 months with 59.5% of patients achieving visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and 74% of 20/80 or better. Suture-fixating a PC IOL to the iris offers multiple advantages over placement of an anterior chamber lens during PKP. The complication rate appears low, and long-term problems with glaucoma and recurrent corneal decompensation should be reduced.     

Implantation of scleral-fixated posterior chamber intraocular lenses

A surgical technique for implanting a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) in eyes without capsular or zonular support is presented. A 10-0 polypropylene suture attached to a standard needle is tied to the apex of each haptic and passed transclerally through the ciliary sulcus to secure the haptics at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock meridians. This technique produced good visual results in six aphakic patients who were contact lens intolerant, two patients in whom capsular or zonular rupture at the time of cataract surgery precluded standard nonsuture fixation techniques, one patient who had intracapsular cataract extraction for a subluxated, cataractous lens, and one patient who had secondary IOL implantation in combination with penetrating keratoplasty for aphakic bullous keratopathy. Advantages over other techniques of posterior chamber lens implantation in the absence of capsular support include technical ease, avoidance of iris fixation, and more precise placement of scleral fixation sutures, thus minimizing IOL decentration.     

Visual results after keratoplasty in patients with posterior chamber intraocular lenses

We performed penetrating keratoplasty in 20 consecutive patients who had posterior chamber intraocular lenses and who developed pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. All patients received 8.0-mm grafts placed in 7.5-mm recipient beds. None of the intraocular lenses were removed. Final visual acuity was 20/40 or better in eight (40%) and 20/80 or better in 15 (75%) of the patients. Senile macular degeneration (one case), corneal graft rejection (two cases), and wound infection (one case) contributed to poor visual results in the remaining patients.     

Implantation of spheric phakic posterior chamber intraocular lenses in astigmatic eyes

PURPOSE: To evaluate the simultaneous correction of spherical and cylindrical ametropia through implantation of phakic posterior chamber (PC) intraocular lenses (IOLs) combined with a limbal incision. SETTING: Eye Department, Schlosspark-Klinik, Charité University Berlin, Berlin, Germany. METHODS: In 5 hyperopic and 7 myopic eyes with varying astigmatic measurements, a refractive correction was achieved by implanting phakic PC IOLs (Staar Surgical Co.) and performing limbal incisions of different lengths. The incisions were placed approximately 1.0 mm from the limbus with a mean depth of 600 microm and a length of 6.0 mm +/- 0.9 (SD). The phakic PC IOLs were implanted after the limbal incisions were placed. RESULTS: In the 5 hyperopic eyes, the astigmatism decreased from 2.7 diopters (D) preoperatively to 0.5 D at a mean of 7.5 +/- 1.7 months without alteration of the axis of highest bowing. In the 7 myopic eyes, it decreased from 2.2 D preoperatively to 0.7 D at 7.2 +/- 2.6 months. In 3 hyperopic eyes and 1 myopic eye, the limbal incisions were repeated. CONCLUSIONS: The observed mean postoperative spherical equivalent was close to emmetropia. Repeat incisions were necessary in eyes exhibiting astigmatism greater than 2.5 D. The advantage of limbal incisions in combination with phakic PC IOL implantation is demonstrated not only by the astigmatic reduction but also by the axis stability. It will be interesting to see whether toric phakic lenses can achieve the same postoperative results, especially in axis stability and reduction of higher degrees of astigmatism.     

Implantation of folding posterior chamber lenses

The implantation of foldable intraocular lenses (IOL) takes advantages of the benefit of small incision cataract surgery provided by phacoemulsification. However, even experienced surgeons may find the new implantation techniques required initially difficult. Advantages of small incision techniques include maintaining stability of the globe during surgery, especially in the case of acute IOP elevation caused by choroidal effusion or expulsive hemorrhage, as well as improved postoperative healing. Small incision surgery minimizes induced astigmatism, to less than 1.0 dpt change. Therefore, the patients physical and visual rehabilitation can be accelerated. Soft IOL's composed of p-HEMA or Silicone materials have been investigated for the past ten years and appear to be well biocompatible. The p-HEMA lens most often implanted is the IO-GEL, manufactured by Alcon. 120 p-HEMA IOL's were implanted in our clinic over the past 2 years. Our experiences with this foldable IOL are reported.     

Implantation of UV-absorbing posterior chamber lenses

The authors report on their experience with UV-absorbent posterior chamber IOLs (ORC) implanted between April 1, 1984 and April 1, 1985 (n = 125). Short-term complications and in particular post-operative sterile uveitis, corresponded to those in a group (n = 135) who had had regular PMMA lenses implanted. While no significant lowering of glare perception could be proved after implantation of the UV-block-lenses, color perception seemed to be more correct with these lenses. Because of the short observation time no significant statements can be made regarding the frequency of cystoid macular edema.     

Implantation of scleral‐fixated posterior chamber intraocular lenses in adults

Purpose: To report the results of transscleral fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses in adults. Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 91 eyes of 81 patients who underwent implantation of posterior chamber lenses with transscleral sutures between 1997 and 2006. The mean age of the patients was 62 years (range 19–94 years). Sixty‐eight eyes (74.7%) were aphakic at the time of surgery. In 10 patients (11.0%) an intracapsular cataract extraction and in six patients (6.6%) a pars plana lensectomy was performed prior to the fixation of the posterior chamber intraocular lens. In seven eyes (7.7%) a previously implanted IOL was removed. The mean follow‐up was 36 months (range 6–116 months). Results: The mean preoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.37 (range counting fingers to 1.0), which improved to 0.5 (range light perception to 1.0) postoperatively. At the end of follow‐up, BCVA was unchanged or improved in 81 eyes (89.0%), reduced by 2 Snellen lines in four eyes (4.4%), and between finger counting and light perception in four eyes (4.4%). The most serious complication was suprachoroidal haemorrhage, which occurred in two eyes. Retinal detachment occurred in three eyes, all of which successfully reattached after surgery. Suture erosion or spontaneous dislocation caused by suture degradation or breakage was not seen. Conclusions: Secondary implantation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses with transscleral fixation is a reasonably safe procedure in adults, with relatively few serious complications. Even in patients with longterm follow‐up, suture breakage was not seen.     

Decentration of posterior chamber intraocular lenses

In a group of 300 patients with a posterior chamber lens in 19% its decentration was found, in 2.3% the iris capture syndrome. The author discusses possible causes of decentration of the implanted lens, possibilities of its therapy.     

Transsclerally sutured intraocular lenses in penetrating keratoplasty.

We reviewed the charts of 114 consecutive patients who underwent penetrating keratoplasty with transscleral fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens. Two patients died within three months of follow-up and were excluded from the study. In the remaining 112 patients, follow-up ranged from four to 47 months (mean, 17.2 months). Postoperative visual acuity improved in 95 patients (85%), remained the same in 13 patients (11.5%), and worsened in four patients (3.5%). In 71 patients with at least one year of follow-up, best-corrected visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 17 patients (24%), 20/50 to 20/80 in 25 patients (35%), 20/100 to 20/400 in 17 patients (24%), and counting fingers or worse in 12 patients (17%). Problems with lens decentration, tilt, dislocation, or scleral suture-related infections were minimal. Glaucoma and cystoid macular edema were the most common causes of decreased visual acuity. Four patients (3.6%) developed intraoperative choroidal detachments. Three patients (2.7%) developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachments early in the postoperative course.     

Results of implantation of transsclerally sutured posterior chamber lenses in combination with penetrating keratoplasty

Summary Implantation of transsclerally sutured posterior chamber lenses is one possibility of surgical visual rehabilitation of eyes with pseudophacic or aphacic bullous keratopathy without zonular-capsular support. We analyzed the results and complications of the surgical procedures performed in our institution. Patients and methods: Out of 1567 penetrating keratoplasties and 220 transsclerally sutured posterior chamber lenses that were performed at our institution between 1991 and 1996, patients that underwent penetrating keratoplasty and sutured posterior chamber lens implantation in whom sufficient clinical information was available were selected and analyzed in a retrospective, nonselective study. Surgery was performed by a total of four surgeons and included anterior vitrectomy, inside-out suturing and synechiolysis if necessary. Detailed pre- and intraoperative data, postoperative course and complications were recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 96 eyes were analyzed (patient age 17–92 years, 49 male, 46 female). Penetrating keratoplasty was performed for pseudophacic (63) oder aphacic (15) bullous keratopathy or for corneal scars following penetrating injury (18). Mean follow-up was 22 months. In 82 of 96 eyes, visual acuity improved following surgery. Complications included rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 4 eyes, graft rejection in 5 eyes, secondary angle-closure glaucoma caused by preexisting anterior synechiae in 7 eyes, and persisting cystoid macular edema in 19 eyes. Luxation or subluxation of the IOL and endophthalmitis were not observed in any of the patients. Conclusion: Implantation of transsclerally sutured posterior chamber lenses appears to be a safe procedure and is considered by us to be the procedure of choice to correct aphacia during penetrating keratoplasty in eyes with absent zonular-capsular support. The majority of postoperative complications is apparently caused by preexisting problems related to previous surgery and/or trauma, such as peripheral anterior synechiae, vitreous incarceration or cystoid macular edema.      

Implantation of Kelman-style, open-loop anterior chamber lenses during keratoplasty for aphakic and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy. A comparison with iris-sutured posterior chamber lenses

The clinical and specular microscopic results of 40 cases (39 patients) of penetrating keratoplasty during which a Kelman-style anterior chamber intraocular lens was implanted were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-one pseudophakic eyes received an intraocular lens exchange and nine aphakic eyes received a secondary intraocular lens. Postoperative follow-up averaged 24.5 months (range, 3 to 51 months). At 1, 2, and 3 years after keratoplasty, 39.3%, 63.2%, and 63.6% of eyes, respectively, had visual acuities of 20/40 or better. Ninety-five percent of the grafts remained clear. Causes of poor postoperative visual acuity included cystoid macular edema (32.5%), new glaucoma (22.5%), and age-related macular degeneration (10.0%). Other causes were endothelial rejection leading to graft failure, corneal ulceration, and retinal detachment. Corneal endothelial cell loss by specular microscopy was 11.5% at 1 years, 21.3% at 2 years, and 25.0% at 3 years. These results were compared with cell loss associated with iris-sutured posterior chamber lenses in penetrating keratoplasty. Visual outcomes and complication rates were similar between these two methods; however, the endothelial attrition at 1 and 2 years for the sutured posterior chamber lens was greater than that of the Kelman anterior chamber lens.