Combined correction of sphere and astigmatism using the light-adjustable intraocular lens in eyes with axial myopia

To determine the efficacy of light-adjustable intraocular lenses (IOL) in correcting residual spherical and cylindrical errors in patients with axial myopia.

Center for Vision Science, Ruhr University Eye Clinic, Bochum, Germany.

Prospective cohort study.

Light-adjustable IOLs were implanted in eyes with axial myopia and treated with spatial irradiance profiles delivered by a digital light-delivery device to induce a target spherical and/or spherocylindrical refractive change. Once the desired correction was achieved, the power of the IOL was locked in (ie, photo locking). The manifest refraction, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) were determined 1, 6, and 12 months after lock-in to determine the achieved refractive corrections and their stability.

Twelve months postoperatively, 20 (96%) of the 21 eyes studied were within ± 0.50 diopter (D) of the intended refractive outcome and 17 (81%) were within ± 0.25 D. One eye had a 0.325 D change in mean refractive spherical equivalent (MRSE). The change in MRSE in the other 20 eyes was less than 0.250 D between 1 month after lock-in and the 3-, 6-, and 12-month postoperative visits.

The light-adjustable IOL reduced postoperative spherical and cylindrical errors of up to 2.00 D. Postoperative refractive errors were successfully corrected, and there was a significant improvement in UDVA with concomitant maintenance of CDVA. The achieved refractive change was stable after the adjustment and lock-in procedures.