Capsular Tension Ring Implantation for Intraocular Lens Position: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There is currently no consensus regarding the association of capsular tension ring (CTR) on intraocular lens (IOL) position or the indications for its implantation.

To evaluate the association of CTR implantation on IOL position.

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from their inception to October 18, 2024.

Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) or prospective cohorts reporting the effect or association of CTR on postoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD), IOL decentration, tilt, or rotation.

Data extraction was conducted by 2 reviewers and verified by another for accuracy. Mean difference (MD) was used to synthesize the effect measures, and subgroup analyses were conducted according to IOL haptic design (C-loop and plate haptic) and whether the patient had high myopia.

Postoperative ACD and IOL decentration, tilt, and rotation.

A total of 11 RCTs and 7 cohort studies, involving 809 eyes with CTR and 822 eyes without CTR, were included in this meta-analysis. The analysis revealed that IOL tilt (MD, -1.04°; 95% CI, -2.05° to -0.03°; P = .04) and rotation (MD, -0.82°; 95% CI, -1.27° to -0.37°; P < .001) were smaller in the CTR group compared with the control group. The subgroup analysis of ACD (I2 = 70.7%; P = .03), decentration (I2 = 66.5%, P = .08), and tilt (I2 = 76.7%, P = .01) revealed a heterogeneity between the subgroups stratified according to IOL haptic design. Additionally, subgroup analysis demonstrated that CTR group showed a deeper ACD in eyes implanted with plate haptic IOLs (MD, 0.11 mm; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.20 mm; P = .01), and a smaller IOL tilt in highly myopic eyes (MD, -1.43°; 95% CI, -2.59° to -0.26°; P = .02) compared with the control group.

CTR implantation was associated with enhanced stability of IOL rotation in this meta-analysis, while only reducing IOL tilt in high myopia. While the direct clinical relevance of these results could not be determined from this investigation, these findings provide evidence supporting use of CTR implantation when toric IOLs have been implanted or with high myopia, although a hyperopic refractive shift after implantation of plate haptic IOLs may require target refraction adjustment.