Phakic intraocular lenses after scleral buckling for retinal detachment

To assess efficacy and safety of angle-supported phakic intraocular lenses (PIOL) implanted after scleral buckling for retinal detachment.

Private practice in Siena, Italy.

Retrospective, noncomparative consecutive case series. Inclusion criteria for retrospective evaluation were previous uncomplicated external retinal detachment surgery (scleral buckling), and a complete follow-up superior to 3 years from PIOL implantation.

Nine eyes of seven patients were included. Mean time interval between retinal detachment surgery and PIOL implantation was 3.2 years +/- 4.5 (range 1 to 15). Mean spherical equivalent (SE) before PIOL implantation was -16.36 D +/- 3.98; range: -11.75 to -23. PIOL surgery was uneventful in all cases. Mean SE after PIOL implantation was -0.99+/-0.51 (95% confidence interval for the mean: -0.59 to -1.39). Mean follow-up after PIOL implantation was 4.2 years +/- 0.8 (range 3 to 5). Complications were pupil ovalization (inferior to 1 mm) in two eyes, and worsening of floaters in both eyes of one patient. No recurrences of retinal detachment were observed.

In selected eyes with no anterior chamber abnormalities, the implantation of angle supported PIOL after scleral buckling for retinal detachment is associated with good refractive results and minor complications.