Transscleral fixation of a foldable intraocular lens in aphakic vitrectomized eyes

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of transscleral fixation of a foldable intraocular lens (IOL) in eyes that had pars plana lensectomy combined with pars plana vitrectomy for severe vitreoretinal disease.

Setting: Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Methods: The medical records of 21 patients who had a transscleral fixation of a foldable IOL after previous vitrectomy combined with lensectomy for severe posterior segment pathology were reviewed. The underlying vitreoretinal diseases were complicated proliferative diabetic retinopathy (n = 9), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (n = 5), traumatic retinal detachment (n = 3), intraocular foreign body (n = 2), and uveitic retinal detachment (n = 2). The postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was compared with the preoperative BCVA. Autorefractometry and keratometry measurements and central endothelial cell counts were evaluated 1 day preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 54.5 years. The preoperative aphakic period ranged from 2 to 22 months. The visual acuity reached the preoperative BCVA by 2 months after surgery and was better than the preoperative BCVA at 6 months (P =.006) and at the final visit (P =.003). Six months postoperatively, the mean myopic shift by cycloplegic autorefractometry was -1.0 diopter (D) and the mean scalar shift in surgically induced keratometric cylinder, 1.0 D. The mean central corneal endothelial loss at 6 months was 6.7% (range 2.4% to 22.2%). The only vitreoretinal complications were a transient vitreous hemorrhage and a reopened macular hole that was reattached after fluid-gas exchange.

Conclusion: Transscleral fixation of a foldable IOL was safe and led to favorable visual outcomes in aphakic vitrectomized eyes with previous severe vitreoretinal disease.