Pars plana vitrectomy and artisan iris fixated intraocular lens for aphakia in complicated vitreoretinal referrals

ObjectiveTo evaluate postoperative outcome of cases undergoing Artisan aphakic iris fixated intraocular lens implantation (IOL) in complicated vitreoretinal referrals, at Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology, Rudolf Foundation Clinic, Vienna, Austria.MethodsIt was a retrospective interventional case series involving 24 patients who have undergone pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with the Artisan iris fixated lens implantation procedure. Herein, procedures, preoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), causes of referral, post-operative CDVA and clinical complications were recorded.ResultsThe mean age of 24 patients (17 males and 7 females) was (69.88±14.50), with the range 32-83 years. The mean preoperative visual acuity was (1.40±0.83) with the range 0.46-3.00 log MAR units. After a mean follow up period for (3.12±2.54) with the range 1-12 months, the mean CDVA at the last follow-up was (0.95±0.84) log MAR units with the range 0.097-3.000 log MAR units. Complicated cataract surgery was the most common cause for referral with the value, 54.21% among cases, n=13. Secondary glaucoma was the commonest postoperative complication 25.00% with n=6. The other complications included were transient hypotony (n=3; 12.51%), hyphaema (n=2; 8.34%), corneal oedema (n=1; 4.17%), corneal erosion (n=1; 4.17%), vitreous haemorrhage (n=2; 8.34%) and oval pupil (n=1; 4.17%). Paired t test result showed no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative visual acuities (P>0.05).ConclusionsArtisan iris fixated IOL's are a safe and effective option in eyes with concomitant poor capsular support and vitreoretinal complications requiring PPV. The postoperative visual acuity depends on the underlying pathological features present preoperatively.