Two-year follow-up of the Artisan/Verisyse iris-supported phakic intraocular lens for the correction of high myopia

PURPOSE: To evaluate the implantation of Artisan/Verisyse phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs) (Advanced Medical Optics) as an effective and safe method for the correction of high myopia. SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. METHODS: This retrospective outcomes trial examined the implantation of Artisan/Verisyse pIOLs in 85 highly myopic eyes (mean spherical equivalent -12.2 diopters). Patients were followed for 2 years and examined postoperatively at 1,6,12, and 24 months. Data collected included best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), corneal endothelial cell density, and adverse events. RESULTS: Six months postoperatively, 5 (7%) eyes lost 1 line of the BSCVA; no eye lost 2 or more lines. The UCVA was better than 20/40 in 83% of eyes and better than 20/25 in 32%. Endothelial cell density decreased by 3.3% and 6.5% over the 1-year and 2-year intervals, respectively. Glare and halos, the most common complications of surgery, were reported by 6% of patients at 1 month and by 3% at 2 years. CONCLUSION: Implantation of the Verisyse/Artisan pIOL yielded accurate refractive results with acceptable safety in highly myopic eyes.