Pars plana suture fixation for intraocular lenses dislocated into the vitreous cavity using a closed-eye cow-hitch...

We describe a modified intraocular cow-hitch technique for pars plana suture fixation of intraocular lenses (IOLs) that dislocated into the vitreous cavity in 3 patients who had a 3-port vitrectomy and IOL implantation because of retinal disease. To reposition the dislocated IOL after the residual vitreous was removed, 2 additional sclerotomies for suture fixation were made 3.0 mm posterior to the limbus. A loop (cow-hitch knot) was made with 10-0 polypropylene for suture fixation. After the neck of the cow-hitch loop was grasped with an intraocular forceps, the loop was used to lasso a haptic of the dislocated IOL, which was then pulled forward to the sclerotomy. The same procedure was used for the other haptic, and both sutures were secured to the sclera under scleral flaps. In all patients, the dislocated IOLs were repositioned without the need for extraction. The procedures were uneventful. Pars plana suture fixation with the intraocular cow-hitch technique can be used to reposition an IOL that has dislocated into the vitreous cavity.