The Correction of Aphakia Using Anterior Chamber Intraocular Lens

Senile cataract is the leading cause of severe vision loss and blindness worldwide, affecting approximately 20 million people. Anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC IOLs) remain a surgical option for visual rehabilitation required after surgical extraction of the cataract lens. Relevant publications in the PUBMED database were searched for articles regarding the types, visual outcomes and the complications followed the surgical implantation of AC IOLs. AC IOLs, which can be iris- (iris-claw) or angle-supported, increase visual acuity in most patients. However, complications, such as raised intraocular pressure, hyphaema, distorted pupil shape, iris pigment precipitates, endothelial cell loss, corneal oedema, neovascular glaucoma, retinal detachment and cystoid macular oedema, can unfavorably affect the surgical outcome. Although AC IOLs have been found to improve the visual acuity of patients with cataract, they have been also implicated in several complications.