Purpose:

To evaluate the long-term results of iris-claw phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in highly myopic patients.

Material and Method:

68 eyes of 34 myopic patients were included in the study. All patients underwent implantation of iris-claw phakic IOL with an optic part of 6 mm in diameter and overall length of 8,5 mm (Artiflex /Veriflex). All surgeries were performed under local anesthesia. During each visit, refraction, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell changes and complications were evaluated.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 29.1±7.1 (range, 19-45) years. In 36 out of 68 eyes, the Artiflex lens was implanted, and in 32 eyes - the Veriflex IOL. The mean follow-up time was 36 months. Before the surgery, the mean spherical refraction of the patients was -11.5±8.73 D (range, -7.0 to -18.0 D), the mean spherical equivalent (SE) was -12.1±2.2 D (range, -7.5 to -17.5 D), and the mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was logMAR 0.35±0.13. Three years after surgery, the mean spherical refraction was -0.53±0.78 D, the mean SE was -1.12±0.79 D, and the mean BCVA was log MAR 0.22±0.18. The BCVA was maintained in 10 eyes (14.7%), while 57 eyes (83.87%) gained 1 or more lines of Snellen BCVA and a loss of 2 lines BCVA occurred in one eye (1.47%). The mean corneal endothelial cell loss was 9.86%. During the follow-up visits, one eye (1.47%) had IOP elevation, three eyes (4.4%) had decentration, seven eyes (10.2%) had pupil ovalization and pigment dispersion on the anterior surface of the lens, and in one eye (1.47%) choroid neovascularization was observed.

Discussion:

Iris-supported phakic anterior chamber IOL implantation in highly myopic patients provides satisfactory visual outcomes and patient comfort.

Keywords: Iris-claw lens, Artiflex, Veriflex, high myopia