Black diaphragm aniridia intraocular lens for aniridia and albinism

Our aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of primary and secondary implantation of a black diaphragm aniridia intraocular lens (IOL) in patients that lacked a complete iris diaphragm.

This was a retrospective non-comparative study of six eyes in five patients with iris defects. The causes of such defects included congenital aniridia, traumatic aniridia, and oculocutaneous albinism. Three eyes underwent primary implantations of a black diaphragm IOL, and three eyes were given secondary implantations. The visual acuity, subjective severity of glare, postoperative anatomical outcome and any intraoperative or postoperative complications were reviewed.

The mean follow-up period was 20.6 months (range 3-29 months). All patients showed stable or improvement in best-corrected visual acuity postoperatively. Glare and photophobia had improved subjectively in all patients after implantation of the black diaphragm IOL. Intraoperative complication included one case of hyphaema and iris damage during insertion of the IOL. Postoperative complications included intraocular inflammation with choroidal detachment, secondary glaucoma, and persistent epithelial defect after surgery. None of the patients developed decentration of IOL after surgery.

The black diaphragm aniridia IOL is useful in the management of the condition in patients with iris deficiency including oculocutaneous albinism. Intraoperative and postoperative complications are not uncommon, and patients should be monitored carefully in the perioperative period.