Sutureless Scleral-Fixated Intraocular Lens Implantation for Refractive Rehabilitation in Eyes With Spherophakia

Spherophakia is a rare, debilitating congenital ocular disorder.

This institution-based, retrospective, interventional study evaluated medical records of 16 patients with spherophakia with a median age of 19.5 years. Twenty-six eyes underwent scleral-fixated intraocular lens implantation. The technique involved 2 parallel-to-limbus scleral tunnels fashioned using a microincision vitrectomy blade, followed by lensectomy, core vitrectomy, externalization of haptics through 2 separate diametrically opposite sclerotomies, and tucking in of the haptics into the tunnels. Anterior and posterior segment examination, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were noted at baseline and final follow-up.

Baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of all eyes was 0.49 ± 0.51 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (Snellen equivalent, 6/18). BCVA of more than 6/60 was present in 28 of 32 (87.5%) eyes, and 13 of 26 (50%) eyes that were operated on had a baseline BCVA of more than 6/18. Postoperative BCVA in 26 eyes improved from 0.43 ± 0.32 logMAR to 0.19 ± 0.21 logMAR (Snellen equivalent, 6/9) (P = .002). Postoperative BCVA was more than 6/18 in 20 of 26 (76.9%) operated-on eyes (P = .046), and all eyes had a final BCVA of more than 6/60. In 20 of 26 (76.9%) eyes, BCVA improved from preoperative status. Postoperatively, spherical equivalent improved from -9.55 ± 5.17 diopters to -0.29 ± 1.45 diopters (P < .001). Apart from 2 patients with Marfan syndrome, 1 with Weill-Marchesani syndrome, and 1 with homocystinuria, the remaining patients had isolated spherophakia. Six eyes presented with an IOP greater than 21 mm Hg, and 50% of these eyes had a final IOP that decreased to less than 15 mm Hg after lensectomy.

Lensectomy with pars plana vitrectomy and scleral-fixated intraocular lens is an effective method of refractive rehabilitation for patients with spherophakia presenting with visual disability.