Flanged Sutureless Intrascleral Fixation of Dislocated Hard 1-Piece Polymethyl Methacrylate Intraocular Lenses

To describe the vitreoretinal surgical technique and report the outcomes of our method of sutureless flanged intrascleral haptic fixation of dislocated 1-piece polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lenses with rigid haptics.

Ciliary sulcus-based scleral tunnels were created by placing valved 27-gauge (g) trocar cannulas limbus parallel with conjunctival displacement. After complete vitrectomy, the rigid haptics were then externalized using 27g forceps. Cautery was then used to form flanges at the haptic tips. The haptics were then pushed back into the mouths of the scleral tunnels.

Flanged intrascleral fixation was successfully achieved in eight eyes of seven patients. The average age at the time of surgery was 75 ± 13.7 years, with a mean follow-up of 17.9 ± 16.3 months (range 3-42 months). Intraocular lens dislocation/subluxation was the most common indication for surgery. All patients fully recovered to their potential acuity by their third postoperative visit. The most significant complication was erosion of one haptic in one patient, which was successfully managed without requiring intraocular lens exchange. There were no complications of subsequent dislocation, endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, or uveitis-glaucoma-hyphema syndrome.

Flanged sutureless intrascleral fixation of dislocated 1-piece polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lenses with rigid haptics can be safely and successfully performed, avoiding the large wound creation accompanying intraocular lens exchange and the disadvantages of suture-based techniques.