Slip-and-slide technique for combined small-incision artificial iris and IOL implantation

A surgical technique is described for reducing surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) during combined implantation of IOL and artificial iris. The CUSTOMFLEX ARTIFICIALIRIS was implanted in 2 patients who suffered from aphakia and complete traumatic aniridia. Implantation of the prosthesis was accompanied by insertion of an IOL that was fixed at the iris implant. Although prosthesis and IOL can be implanted through small incisions individually, the combined package usually requires a larger incision causing greater SIA. The new technique minimizes the SIA because both components are fixed together but can be inserted separately. Final assembling of the iris-IOL package is performed after separate implantation. The technique to implant the artificial iris combined with a nontoric or a toric IOL is described. The slip-and-slide technique was a safe and an effective way to implant an iris-IOL package while keeping the SIA small and reducing the incision size.