Exchange of a posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens in a highly myopic eye

A 38-year-old woman had posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation as a secondary refractive procedure to correct residual refraction (20/50 with -16.50 -1.50 x 80) in May 1998, 3 years after intrastromal corneal ring segment surgery for high myopia (-30.00 diopters). Ultrasound biomicroscopy revealed an oversized lens, leading to malpositioning. Moreover, the patient remained undercorrected (20/40 with -5.25 -0.75 x 120). Ten months later, the phakic IOL was uneventfully exchanged for a shorter one with the correct dioptric power. It was well placed in the posterior chamber. The patient's visual acuity was 20/30 with -2.25 -0.75 x 145, very close to the refraction in the fellow aphakic eye (20/30 with -2.50 -0.75 x 75). Patient satisfaction with the final visual outcome was high. Accurate ciliary sulcus measurement is critical for proper phakic IOL sizing.