Phakic intraocular lenses: part 2: results and complications

Abstract

The second part of a review of phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs) addresses results and complications with current pIOL models. Phakic IOLs demonstrate reversibility, high optical quality, potential gain in visual acuity in myopic patients due to retinal magnification; correction is not limited by corneal thickness or topography. With proper anatomical conditions, pIOLs also show good results in hyperopic patients. Toric pIOL designs enable spherocylindrical correction. Complications are rare and primarily related to pIOL position and type. The main complications of angle-supported anterior chamber pIOLs are glare and halos, pupil ovalization, and corneal endothelial cell loss; of iris-fixated anterior chamber pIOLs, chronic subclinical inflammation, corneal endothelial cell loss, and dislocation or pupillary block glaucoma; and of posterior chamber pIOLs, anterior subcapsular cataract formation, pigment dispersion, and luxation or pupillary block glaucoma. No causative relationship between pIOL implantation (of any pIOL type) and retinal detachment has been established.