Long-term results of clear lens extraction for severe myopia

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of clear lens extraction in the management of severe myopia.

Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

This retrospective study comprised 24 eyes of 16 patients who had clear lens extraction to treat myopia of 12.00 diopters (D) or more. A scleral pocket incision and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis were made followed by lens extraction by phacoemulsification and low-power posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. Mean follow-up was 15 months.

Fifteen eyes (62.0%) were within 1.00 D of targeted refractive error postoperatively; 22 (91.7%) were within +2.00 D. Uncorrected visual acuity improved in all eyes. All except 1 (95.8%) gained two or more Snellen lines. Best corrected visual acuity improved in 20 eyes (83.3%); 15 (75.0%) gained two or more lines. Best corrected visual acuity after surgery was 20/40 or better in 19 eyes (79.2%), a 37.5% increase over the preoperative number. Posterior capsule opacification developed in 1 eye; a neodymium: YAG laser posterior capsulotomy was performed at 4 months postoperatively. No retinal breaks, retinal detachments, or cystoid macular edema were observed during the follow-up.

Clear lens extraction was effective in correcting severe myopia; however, longer follow-up of a large number of cases is needed to fully assess possible complications.