Flanged Polypropylene Scleral Fixation: A Comprehensive Analysis of Outcomes and Considerations

To evaluate visual, refractive, and safety outcomes of secondary flanged polypropylene scleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation in a large cohort. Additionally, this study aimed to compare preexisting IOL repositioning versus exchange, and horizontal versus vertical flange orientation.

This was a retrospective, single-center cohort of consecutive eyes that underwent flanged polypropylene scleral IOL fixation between January 2021 and August 2024, with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, refraction, and complications were analyzed. Subgroup analyses compared IOL repositioning versus exchange and horizontal versus vertical flange fixation.

Among 138 eyes, mean visual acuity improved from 1.11 ± 0.63 to 0.40 ± 0.43 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) (approximately 20/260 to 20/50 Snellen) at 12 months (P < .001). Final residual refraction averaged a myopic sphere of -1.56 ± 2.71 diopters (D) with a cylinder of 1.92 ± 1.71 D, yielding a mean postoperative spherical equivalent of -0.60 ± 2.35 D. Complications occurred in 10.1% of cases, and were predominantly flange-related (5.8%) and manageable. Residual spherical equivalent was significantly closer to emmetropia following IOL exchange compared with repositioning (-0.15 ± 1.50 vs -0.80 ± 2.26 D; P = .047), whereas visual acuity and complication rates were otherwise similar. Fixation orientation (horizontal vs vertical) had no significant effect on visual acuity, refraction, or complications (P > .050, for all).

Flanged polypropylene scleral IOL fixation provides substantial visual improvement with low complication rates. Compared with repositioning, preexisting IOL exchange was associated with residual refraction closer to emmetropia, without increased risk. Flange orientation did not significantly impact clinical outcomes. Surgical decisions should therefore be guided by surgeon expertise and the clinical context.