Macular choroidal neovascularization in myopic eyes after phakic intraocular lens implantation

To analyze the development and characteristics of choroidal neovascularization in highly myopic patients corrected by the implantation of phakic intraocular lenses (PIOLs).

This retrospective, noncomparative interventional case series studied the development of choroidal neovascularization in 522 consecutive highly myopic eyes (spherical equivalent refraction >-6.00 diopters [D] and/or axial length >26 mm) (323 patients) corrected by the implantation of PIOLs, the treatment performed, and the results obtained. Parameters evaluated were best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) before and after treatment of choroidal neovascularization, and the interval between refractive surgery and the development of choroidal neovascularization.

Follow-up ranged from 12 to 145 months (mean: 60.4 +/- 39.1 months). In 12 (2.29%) eyes, choroidal neovascularization developed after PIOL implantation at a mean interval time of 33.7 +/- 29.6 months (range: 1 to 87 months). Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, the risk of choroidal neovascularization in patients with high myopia corrected by PIOL implantation was 0.57% at 5 months, 0.81% at 18 months, 1.31% at 24 months, and 3.72% at 87 to 145 months. No statistically significant differences were found between patients with and without choroidal neovascularization in the following parameters: axial length (P=.826), age (P=.296), initial BSCVA (P=.085), spherical equivalent refraction (P=.663), and follow-up (P=.955).

Phakic intraocular lens implantation for the correction of high myopia does not play a role in the development of choroidal neovascularization.