Outcomes and complications in scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantations

This study compares outcomes and complications of scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation between 2 levels of surgeons.

A retrospective case series of patients undergoing scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation at Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, between May 2012 and April 2017 were reviewed. Data collected included age, gender, affected eye, preoperative and postoperative visual acuities, refractive target and outcome, surgeon profile, operative details including method of scleral fixation, intraoperative and postoperative complications and length of follow-up.

Ninety eyes of 90 patients were included for analyses. The mean LogMAR visual acuities were 1.17 ± 0.70 at postoperative week 1, 0.81 ± 0.56 at 1 month, 0.66 ± 0.55 at 3 months, 0.56 ± 0.59 at 6 months, and 0.51 ± 0.60 at 1 year, respectively. After adjusting for age at operation, operative time, axial length, subspecialty of the surgeon and preoperative LogMAR, surgeon seniority was not significantly associated with final visual outcomes. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean improvement in visual acuities between eyes operated by consultants and fellows under direct supervision of a senior surgeon.

Scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation is safe and effective in improving visual acuity in aphakic adults without capsular support. Under good supervision, fellows were able to produce comparable results compared with experienced specialists.