Purpose:
To report the visual outcomes and complications of scleral fixated intraocular lenses (IOLs) using Gore-Tex suture.
Methods:
The current study is a retrospective noncomparative case series including patients who underwent scleral fixation of IOL (Akreos AO60) using Gore-Tex suture from August 2015 to March 2017 at a university teaching center. Primary outcome measures were visual acuity and complications at last follow-up.
Results:
The current study included 49 eyes of 48 patients. Mean follow-up duration postsurgery was 6.9 months (range: 0.9-29.4 months). The indications for secondary IOL surgery were dislocated IOL in 16/49 (33%), subluxed IOL in 9/49 (18%), dislocated or subluxed crystalline lens in 9/49 (18%), traumatic cataract in 8/49 (16%), and complicated cataract surgery in 7/49 (14%). Mean best-corrected logMAR visual acuity improved from 1±0.7 (20/200 Snellen equivalent) preoperatively to 0.5±0.5 (20/63 Snellen equivalent) at last follow-up. There were no intraoperative complications noted. Early postoperative complications included significant persistent corneal edema (longer than 1 week) in 4/49 (8.2%), ocular hypertension (intraocular pressure ≥25 mmHg) in 8/49 (16.3%), hypotony (intraocular pressure ≤5 mmHg) in 6/49 (12.2%), cystoid macular edema 3/21 (6.1%), IOL tilt 2/49 (4.1%), hyphema in 2/49 (4.1%), and vitreous hemorrhage in 5/49 (4.8%). There was one case of recurrent retinal detachment. One patient presented with an erosion of the Gore-Tex suture through the conjunctiva resulting in a purulent scleritis 6 months after the initial surgery, and was managed with removal of the IOL, debridement, and cryotherapy. Forty-one of 49 patients completed 3-month follow-up, among which visual acuity improved, deteriorated, or remained same compared to baseline in 27/49 (55.1%), 8/49 (16.3%), and 6/49 (12.2%) eyes, respectively.
Conclusion:
In the current study, visual acuity outcomes were generally favorable. The complications were largely transient. Significant complications included a suture-related infection, which required removal of the IOL, and a recurrence of a retinal detachment.