Long-term complications of bilateral posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation

A 34-year-old woman had posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (PCP IOL) implantation to correct high myopia in both eyes. Five years postoperatively, the patient presented with a decrease in visual acuity from central anterior subcapsular cataract formation in both eyes and IOL dislocation in the left eye. In vivo confocal microscopy of the cornea showed markedly decreased endothelial cell density in both eyes and the presence of bright endothelial microdeposits possibly related to pigmentary dispersion. Gonioscopy showed angle pigmentary deposits with no intraocular pressure increase. The patient was successfully treated by removing the PCP IOLs and performing phacoemulsification with in-the-bag IOL implantation in both eyes. This led to a recovery of visual acuity. This case report presents the rare occurrence and surgical management of cataract formation, IOL dislocation, and severe endothelial cell loss as a late complication of PCP IOL implantation.