R J Uusitalo1, H M Uusitalo. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively analyzed the visual results and postoperative complications associated with severely traumatized eyes in which aphakia was corrected with epikeratophakia or a sutured iris prosthesis/intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: Fourteen eyes (14 patients) with traumatic aphakia and severe anterior segment complications were corrected either with epikeratophakia or a sutured iris prosthesis/IOL. All eyes lacked lens capsule or iris support for an IOL. The surgical technique of implanting an iris prosthesis/IOL employed transcleral suturing in the ciliary sulcus combined with penetrating keratoplasty. RESULTS: In the eight eyes treated with epikeratophakia, four (50%) had spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Almost all of these eyes lost one or two Snellen lines of baseline spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Few complications occurred after epikeratophakia; none were severe. Of six eyes with penetrating keratoplasty and a sutured iris prosthesis/IOL or a sutured posterior chamber IOL, two (33%) achieved a visual acuity of 20/40 or better. In the IOL group, severe complications occurred, including posterior dislocation of the lens and secondary glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical correction of aphakia in severely traumatized eyes requires specialized surgical techniques. Epikeratophakia is a low-risk operation that can be performed in eyes in which an IOL is contraindicated. The iris prosthesis/IOL technique results in good cosmetic results; however, due to complications, this technique should be used with caution.
OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively analyzed the visual results and postoperative complications associated with severely traumatized eyes in which aphakia was corrected with epikeratophakia or a sutured iris prosthesis/intraocular lens (IOL). METHODS: Fourteen eyes (14 patients) with traumatic aphakia and severe anterior segment complications were corrected either with epikeratophakia or a sutured iris prosthesis/IOL. All eyes lacked lens capsule or iris support for an IOL. The surgical technique of implanting an iris prosthesis/IOL employed transcleral suturing in the ciliary sulcus combined with penetrating keratoplasty. RESULTS: In the eight eyes treated with epikeratophakia, four (50%) had spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Almost all of these eyes lost one or two Snellen lines of baseline spectacle-corrected visual acuity. Few complications occurred after epikeratophakia; none were severe. Of six eyes with penetrating keratoplasty and a sutured iris prosthesis/IOL or a sutured posterior chamber IOL, two (33%) achieved a visual acuity of 20/40 or better. In the IOL group, severe complications occurred, including posterior dislocation of the lens and secondary glaucoma. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical correction of aphakia in severely traumatized eyes requires specialized surgical techniques. Epikeratophakia is a low-risk operation that can be performed in eyes in which an IOL is contraindicated. The iris prosthesis/IOL technique results in good cosmetic results; however, due to complications, this technique should be used with caution.