Haptic Erosion Following Sutureless Scleral-fixated Intraocular Lens Placement

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Complications
• Intraocular Lens Implantation

Background:

• Sutureless intrascleral (SIS) fixation is a technique for intraocular lens (IOL) placement.
• Conjunctival haptic erosion is a potential complication following this procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To detail the clinical characteristics and visual results of eyes experiencing conjunctival haptic erosion after SIS-fixated IOL surgery.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case series involving patients who underwent SIS fixation between 2013 and 2022.
• Multicenter, multisurgeon review of clinical data, visual outcomes, and treatments for haptic erosion.

Main Results:

• Nineteen eyes presented with haptic erosion, with a mean interval of 278 days post-fixation.
• Most erosions occurred superiorly or inferiorly; 95% of eyes achieved stable IOLs after repair with no recurrence.
• No cases of endophthalmitis were reported.

Conclusions:

• Conjunctival haptic erosion is a recognized complication of SIS-fixated IOLs.
• Surgical correction leads to favorable visual outcomes and IOL stability.
• Pre-operative assessment of conjunctival health is recommended.