Reinforced scleral fixation of foldable intraocular lens by double sutures: comparison with intrascleral intraocular lens fixation

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe a new technique for small-incision scleral fixation of intraocular lens (IOL) using double 10-0 polypropylene sutures, and to report the outcomes of IOL position compared with intrascleral IOL fixation at 12-month follow-up.

Study design: A retrospective comparative study.

Method: This new technique, called double sutured scleral fixated-IOL (DSF-IOL), was created to help with long-term knots strengthening by applying double sutures to each IOL haptic using an augmented Clove-hitch knot instead of the conventional knots tied by single suture. The tilt and decenter of IOL were measured by Scheimpflug camera and other refractive outcomes were compared between two groups at 12-month follow-up.

Results: This study consisted of 26 eyes (54.2%) from the DSF-IOL group, and 22 eyes (45.8%) from the intrascleral fixated IOL (ISF-IOL) group. No significant differences of mean absolute degree of IOL tilt (2.90 ± 0.77 vs 2.82 ± 0.72; p = 0.633) and IOL decenter (151.90 ± 59.80 vs 175.0 ± 73.14 microns; p = 0.265) were found between the two groups. Post-operative LogMAR visual acuity was not statistically different between the two groups (0.32 ± 0.17 vs 0.41 ± 0.19, p = 0.089). Early post-operative hypotony was only present in the ISF-IOL group (13.6%).

Conclusion: This study shows that DSF-IOL is as effective as ISF-IOL. This technique can be a simpler approach to optimize small-incision scleral fixation of IOL without the complications associated with intrascleral IOL fixation.

Keywords: Clove-hitch knot; Double sutured; Intraocular lens decentration; Intraocular lens tilt; Polypropylene suture.