Secondary Intraocular Lens Implantation

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the visual outcome of secondary anterior and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and to compare their results.

Material and Methods: The study was conducted from July 2003 to December 2005. Forty eyes of 40 patients were selected for secondary intraocular lens implantation. Twenty two patients (55%) were male while 18 patients (45%) were female. Age range was between 5 years to 62 years with mean age of 33.5 years. Anterior chamber implantation was performed in 20 patients with ruptured posterior capsule (Group I) while posterior chamber implantation was done in 20 patients with intact posterior capsule (Group II). All patients were followed for six months after surgery.

Results: In comparison to preoperative vision, 24 cases (60%) had improvement by one or more lines on Snellen’s chart after surgery while 10 cases (25%) remained on the same vision level as they were with aphakic glasses. Visual acuity of 06 patients (15%) was dropped by two lines on Snellen’s chart after surgery. Secondary posterior chamber IOL results were better and associated with fewer complications as compared to secondary anterior chamber IOL implantation.

Conclusion: Despite few complications which are more with anterior chamber IOLs than posterior chamber IOLs, secondary intraocular lens implantation is a better way to get rid of thick aphakic glasses and to restore binocular vision.