[Aniridia intraocular lenses in eyes with traumatic iris defects]

Globe injuries frequently are the cause of permanent loss of visual function. Especially ruptures of the globe have a 50 times lower chance of achieving a final visual acuity better than 20/200 as compared to contusions of the globe. Besides injury to the retina and choroids, injury of the iris-lens diaphragm plays an important role for visual rehabilitation (10% iris defects and 1% aniridia after blunt trauma). Against this background the surgical results after implantation of aniridia intraocular lenses were investigated.

Eleven patients (41.9+/-19.6 years of age) after globe injury (three ruptures of the globe, eight penetrating injuries with trauma of the iris) were implanted with an aniridia IOL.

The implantation of an aniridia IOL was performed on average 1.0+/-0.6 years (range: 0.4-2.3 years) after the primary injury. In ten eyes an aniridia IOL model HMK ANI 2 (Ophtec/Polytech) was implanted and in one eye an aniridia IOL model 67 (Morcher). Most patients were very satisfied with the results achieved (average corrected visual acuity 0.48; 0.05-1.0). Of the operated eyes, 63% reached a visual acuity > or = 0.4. All patients noticed a significant reduction in glare disability as compared to the preoperative condition. The incidence of secondary glaucoma remained unchanged after the secondary implantation. One patient demonstrated retinal detachment 3 months after receiving the secondary implant, which was successfully treated with vitrectomy and gas tamponade.

The implantation of aniridia IOLs seems to be a beneficial therapeutic option in post-traumatic eyes with partial or complete aniridia and aphakia with good visual recovery. During the postoperative follow-up special attention must be paid to sufficient regulation of intraocular pressure and to the retinal situation.