Secondary implantation of scleral-fixated intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of a large series of secondary implantations using scleral-fixated posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs). SETTING: Bellevue Eye Hospital, Kiel, Germany. METHODS: This retrospective review comprised 624 consecutive patients who had secondary implantation of a posterior chamber IOL with scleral fixation between 1988 and 1995. All patients had been aphakic for at least 1 year. An ab interno or ab externo suture technique through the ciliary sulcus was used. Visual outcome and complications 1 year after surgery were determined. RESULTS: Best corrected visual acuity improved or remained unchanged in 92.0% of eyes; 8.0% lost one or two lines. Intraocular lens decentration of more than 1.5 mm occurred in 1.9% of eyes. Suture erosion was observed in 17.9%, cystoid macular edema in 5.8%, retinal detachment in 1.4%, and vitreous hemorrhage in 1.0%. Severe uveitis occurred in 0.5%. CONCLUSION: Secondary IOL implantation with scleral fixation was a safe procedure. Although there was a small risk of significant complications, more than 90% of patients regained or improved their preoperative visual acuity.