Surgical Management of Paediatric Aphakia in the Absence of Sufficient Capsular Support

There are several available options for the demanding surgical correction of paediatric aphakia without sufficient capsular support. The literature suggests the implantation of a transscleral fixated posterior chamber-intraocular lens (PCIOL), an intrascleral fixated PCIOL, an iris-sutured intraocular lens (IOL), or an anterior chamber iris-claw IOL. We searched for reports on the management of paediatric aphakia in case of inadequate capsular support that delineated the diverse surgical approaches and their postoperative results. Analysis demonstrated that different complications can be encountered depending on IOL placement technique, such as suture rupture, IOL dislocation, secondary glaucoma, endophthalmitis, vitreous hemorrhage, and endothelial cell loss. However, it was shown that various IOL designs have similar visual outcomes. Taking into consideration the advantages and disadvantages of each surgical technique, ophthalmic surgeons can determine the safest and most efficient approach for paediatric aphakic patients.

Supporting IOL’S in a Deficient Capsular Environment: The Tale of No “Tails”

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the following three distinct surgical procedures for secondary IOL implantation without capsular support: Iris-claw lens, flanged transscleral fixated IOLs (Yamane technique), and sutureless transscleral hook IOL fixation (Carlevale IOL). Materials and Methods. In this retrospective comparative study, three different sutureless IOL implantation techniques were compared in patients without any capsular support. Visual acuity and outcomes were analyzed in 24 eyes of 23 patients (14 male and 9 female). Study included 13 iris-claw lenses (Artisan Ophtec), 6 flanged transscleral fixated IOLs (Yamane technique using a MA60MA Alcon Inc IOL), and 5 transscleral Carlevale IOLS (Carlevale IOL, Soleko, Italy). Results. logMAR mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) improved from 0.49 ± 0.19 to 0.19 ± 0.10 at three months after surgery p < 0.05 . Postoperative BCVA was similar in all three groups, and no intergroup difference was noted. Three eyes (12.5%) had a raised IOP >25 mmHg, 2 eyes (8%) presented a subluxated/dislocated IOL, 4 eyes (16%) had corneal edema longer than 7 days, 3 eyes (12.5%) had irregular pupil profile, 2 eyes (8%) had vitreous hemorrhage, 7 eyes had (29%) corneal astigmatism over 3 diopters, and one patient (4%) developed cystoid macular edema (CME). Conclusions. All three surgical procedures can be considered adequate to correct aphakia in patients without capsular support with significant improvement in visual acuity and low complication.

STUDY OF VISUAL OUTCOME IN PATIENTS AFTER AC-IOL (ANTERIOR CHAMBER INTRA-OCULAR LENS) IMPLANTATION DURING CATARACT SURGERY

Background: Following posterior capsular rupture (PCR) and vitreous loss during cataract surgery, sometimes there is inadequate support for implanting a conventional intra-ocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag. Flexible openloop anterior chamber intraocular lens, trans-sclerally sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens and iris-claw lenses are the most acceptable alternatives in such a scenario. Objective: To review our experience with primary anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation at a District Hospital in Rajkot. Methods: Analysis of medical records of a consecutive series of primary anterior chamber intraocular lens implantations carried out at the G.T. Sheth Eye Hospital at Rajkot, from September 2011 to April 2013. Eyes with complicated or traumatic cataracts, ocular co-morbidity and cases of combined surgery were excluded from the analysis of visual outcome. Results: There were 70 cases of primary anterior chamber intraocular lens implantations during the study period. Posterior capsule rupture and resultant inadequate capsular support was the commonest indication for implanting the anterior chamber intraocular lens. Postoperatively 82.85% had a best corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better. The commonest postoperative complications were cystoid macular oedema, recurrent iritis and persistent elevated intra-ocular pressure (IOP). Conclusion: Our results indicate a satisfactory visual outcome with primary implantation of anterior chamber intraocular lenses. Caution should be exercised when implanting an anterior chamber intraocular lens following complicated cataract surgery, particularly in the absence of appropriate capsular support.

Retro-pupillary iris fixated intraocular lens: A boon to aphakia

To evaluate post operative visual outcome and complications of retro-pupillary iris fixated Intracoular lens (IOL) in aphakia. This is a prospective interventional case study conducted at our tertiary eye care centre from March 2018 to February 2019 All monocular aphakias secondary to any cause with no capsular support, good iris diaphragm support and BCVA of better than 6/60 were included. Patients who required combined procedures like trabeculectomy and retinal procedure were excluded. Patients with poor endothelial count/ corneal decompensation, any posterior segment pathologies, pre existing glaucoma and any form of uveitis were also excluded from the study. Pre operative visual acuity, slit lamp examination and fundus examination were carried out. Anterior vitrectomy and retropupillary fixation of iris claw lens were done. The primary outcome was to assess the post operative visual acuity and secondary outcome was to analyse post operative complications at various intervals up to 6 months after surgery. Our study comprised of thirty eyes of 30 aphakic patients. RPIFIOL was inserted as primary intraocular lens in 18 patients (%) and secondary intraocular lens in 12 patients(%). Baseline best corrected visual acuity was 0.831±0.66 logMAR. Four patients had light perception at baseline. The mean best corrected visual acuity was 0.77±0.35 logMAR at month 1, 0.64±0.36logmAR at month 3 and 0.53±0.33logmAR at month 6 respectively. Mean intraocular pressure at baseline was 16mmHg. Mean intraocular pressure at month 1, 3 and 6 were 17mmHg, 16mmHg, and 16mmHg. Among the complications, twelve eyes (40%) had significant ovalisation of pupil at post operative month 1 which persisted at month 6, two eyes(6.66%) had transient ocular hypertension (OHT), and none of the eyes progressed to glaucoma. Choroidal detachment was noted in 2 eyes (6.66%), CME in 3 eyes (9.99%), 1 eye (3.33%) had retinal detachment and 2 eyes (6.66%) had one haptic disenclavation. Among the complications, ovalisation of pupil was the most common observed one. Retro-pupillary Iris fixated IOL is an effective, safe and simple procedure for management of aphakia in eyes with no posterior capsular support.

Retropupillary Iris Claw Lens Implantation – A Prospective Observational Study at a Tertiary Health Care Centre in Jaipur, Rajasthan

BACKGROUND Visual rehabilitation of aphakic patients include spectacle correction, contact lenses, and primary or secondary intra ocular lens (IOL) implantation. Spectacles are rarely used nowadays because of limited visual field, aniseikonia and peripheral refractive errors. Contact lenses are other options for correcting aphakia but can cause a lot of corneal complications. Options for correction of aphakic patients with lack of adequate capsular support include anterior chamber IOL (ACIOL), scleral fixated IOL (SFIOL), and iris fixated IOL. Implantation of a retropupillary IC-IOL provides the benefits of a PCIOL, and the duration of the surgery is also less. The retropupillary IC-IOL because of its position lowers the risk of endothelial decompensation is a better option. We wanted to evaluate the functional outcomes of retropupillary iris claw lens implantation. METHODS Secondary implantation of IC-IOL was done in 50 surgical aphakic eyes as a result of intraoperative posterior capsular rent with zonular dialysis (N = 43, 86 %) & large (> 7 clock hours) zonular dehiscence (N = 7, 14 %). Follow up was done on 1 st day, 7th day, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months. RESULTS 22 males and 28 females in the age group 40 - 78 years were operated. 78 % eyes (N = 39) had vision better than 6 / 12 while only 10 % eyes (N = 5) had < 6 / 60 vision and the remainder 12 % (N = 6) had vision between 6 / 18 & 6 / 36. Complications like acute postoperative iritis (N = 18, 36 %) pupillary distortion (N = 15, 30 %), pigment clumping (N = 10, 24 %), iris chaffing (N = 9, 21 %), secondary glaucoma (N = 5, 12 %) and IOL decentration (N = 3, 7 %) were seen. The mean difference in central endothelial counts before surgery and 6 months after surgery was 109 cell / mm2 (5.92 %). CONCLUSIONS Iris claw lens gives the dual benefit of good visual acuity and less complication rate in aphakic patients with lack of adequate capsular support. KEYWORDS Retropupillary Iris Claw Lens, Surgical Aphakia, Secondary implantation, Zonular Dialysis, Aneisokonia

Scleral Tunnel Fixated Intraocular Lens in Complicated Cataract: A Case Series

When capsular support is inadequate in complicated cataract, scleral fixated IOL (SFIOL) has its advantage whereby it is nearer to physiological nodal point when compared to other types of IOL implantation. Scleral tunnel fixated intraocular lens (STFIOL) technique is gaining popularity due to its simplicity and ease of placement compared to sutured IOL. We report our experience with eight cases of STFIOL implantation from September 2016 to May 2018 in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC). All patients had improvement of vision except one case who had unchanged vision. Mean post-operative BCVA was logMAR 0.57±1.13 (which is almost equivalent to 6/21) and improved to logMAR 0.37±0.43 (which is almost equivalent to 6/12) excluding one patient with chronic RRD with band keratopathy. Post-op complications include raised intraocular pressure, cystoid macular oedema, hyphaema, and wound leak. However, all complications were not severe and responded to topical eyedrops. In conclusion, STFIOL insertion technique is safe and works well to restore vision in majority of patients operated with this technique.

Sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lens: long-term outcomes

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL) implantation at a tertiary referral center. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 50 eyes of 43 consecutive patients who underwent sutureless SFIOL implantation by a single surgeon from January 2009 to December 2015. Indications for surgery were aphakia, dislocated intraocular lens (IOL), complicated cataract surgery (posterior capsule rupture, zonular dialysis, dropped nucleus), iris-clipped IOL with corneal decompensation, and lens with poor capsular support. Indication for surgery, visual acuity, ocular history, ocular comorbidities, intraoperative and postoperative complications, and the need for further surgery were analyzed. Results: The analysis conducted on 50 eyes from 43 patients with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) follow-up of 16.64 ± 9.34 months. Patients were 27 (63%) men and 16 (37%) women with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 53.36 ± 22.45 years (range 8–90 years). Final visual acuity was 6/18 or better in 39 eyes. SFIOL was stable and well centered in 48 eyes. SFIOL dislocation was noted in 2 eyes, retinal detachment in 1 eye, and worsening of diabetic cystoid macular edema in 1 eye. Two patients with pre-existing corneal decompensation from complicated cataract surgery had worsening of their condition Conclusions: Sutureless SFIOL could be considered as a long-term option for the management of aphakia, dislocated IOL, and lens with poor capsular support. However, future studies with more subjects, longer follow-ups, and robust study design are needed to confirm the results of the present study.

Scleral fixation of Carlevale intraocular lens: A new tool in correcting aphakia with no capsular support

Purpose: To report the clinical outcomes of the use of a novel specially designed scleral fixated intraocular lens, the Carlevale intraocular lens (carlevale IOL, Soleko, Italy) for the correction of aphakia in the absence of capsular support of variable etiology. Methods: This retrospective, non-comparative study included 169 eyes of 169 consecutive patients who underwent 3-port pars plana vitrectomy and scleral fixation on Carlevale IOL. Inclusion criteria were at least 6 months’ follow-up period, patients > 18 years old who underwent vitrectomy and Carlevale IOL placement for aphakia and inadequate capsular support Results: The median follow up period of 9 months (range 6–18 months). Mean post-operative BCVA at the last follow-up visit was 20/25 (0.09 ± 0.1 LogMAR), improving from a mean baseline BCVA of 20/80 (0.58 ± 0.49 LogMAR), a statistically significant change ( p = 0.0001). Regarding the post-operative complications, a transient rise in the IOP was observed in 28 patients (16.5%) and mild vitreous hemorrhage was observed in the immediate post-operative period in eight eyes (4.7%) and it spontaneously resolved within 3 weeks. All patients demonstrated good IOL position at the end of the follow-up without IOL capture. None of the patients required re-operation. Conlcusion: The present study represents the largest to date in evaluating the use of carlevale IOL in patients with aphakia and inadequate capsular support. The technique is safe and provides excellent post-operative IOL fixation without IOL capture in any of the patients studied.