Phakic posterior chamber intraocular lenses for the correction of high myopia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This article evaluates the benefits and risks of silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted just anterior to the surface of the crystalline lens. METHODS: In this pilot study, 8 silicone IOLs were implanted into the posterior chambers of 8 phakic, myopic eyes (-8.00 to - 20.00 diopters [D]) under local anesthesia through a 6-mm corneal incision. RESULTS: Five of the eyes (62.5%) had a spherical equivalent refraction within ± 1.00 D and all were within ± 1.50 D of the attempted correction. The spectacle-corrected visual acuities were improved postoperatively in all eyes. Anterior chamber depths were decreased with a mean depth of 0.288 mm. Slight decentrations were observed in three eyes without any optical problems. CONCLUSION: Phakic posterior chamber lenses are a promising intervention in highly myopic patients, especially in anisometropia. Further study is needed to prove the reliability of this technique.