Visual outcome and complications in 287 intraocular lens implants (Federow) compared with 290 intracapsular cataract...

In 287 consecutively intracapsular cataract extracted eyes with a Federow intraocular lens implant (IOL) and 290 eyes with consecutively performed intracapsular cataract extractions (ICCE) the final visual outcome and complications were examined in a retrospective study. The average observation time was 31 months in the IOL group and 37 months in the ICCE group. Seventy-five per cent in the IOL group and 77% in the ICCE group achieved a visual acuity greater than or equal to 0.5. The main cause of a visual acuity less than 0.5 was maculopathy pre-operatively recognized. A visual acuity less than 0.5 due to post-operative complications occurred more frequently in the IOL group (28 eyes) compared with the ICCE group (13 eyes) - P less than 0.01. Twelve intraocular implants (4.3%) had to be removed. The most important cause was dislocation of the IOL (9 eyes). During our first 12 months of IOL implantation 8 dislocations occurred out of 56 implanted eyes (14.3%). The remaining 6 dislocations occurred among the last 231 IOL eyes (2.6%). It is concluded that complications are few, but often serious in intraocular lens implant surgery. Careful pre-operative examination and surgical experience are mandatory.