Scleral-fixated IOL implantation shows good long-term outcomes

This large retrospective study found excellent long-term visual outcomes and a relatively low complication rate for scleral-fixated IOL implantation in a cohort of Chinese subjects. 

The authors reviewed the charts of all patients who underwent primary or secondary scleral-fixated IOL implantation between 1997 and 2008 at their university teaching hospital in Hong Kong. The mean age at surgery was 67 years, and the mean follow-up was 73.4 months.

Of 99 patients (104 eyes), final postoperative visual acuity was unchanged or improved in 72 percent. Postoperative complications occurred in 24 percent of eyes, with suture-related complications being the most common. Thirteen eyes (12.5 percent) required further procedures for postoperative complications. Suture breakage leading to lens subluxation occurred in only two eyes, and elevated IOP requiring medical or surgical intervention occurred in three eyes.

They write that further studies comparing late complications, such as IOL dislocation, are warranted. Also, patients should be informed preoperatively of the risk for potential long-term suture-related problems.