Retinal complications of phakic intraocular lenses

High myopia has always been a challenge for refractive correction. Current laser surgical techniques, however, fall short of correcting high refractive errors due to lack of predictability, regression, corneal ectasia, and introduction of high order optical aberration. Phakic intraocular lenses (IOL) have been proposed as an effective refractive surgical procedure for the correction of severe myopia, but, despite recent advances in implant material teachnology and design, their concept is still under clinical investigation. Most of the concern regarding the complications of phakic IOLs focuses on the anterior segment of the eye. This review examines the posterior segment complications associated with phakic IOL implantation, evaluates possible pathogenetic mechanisms and discusses posterior segment complications, prevention and management.