Cataract surgery with a small-aperture intraocular lens after previous corneal refractive surgery: Visual outcomes and spectacle independence

Patients who have had previous refractive procedures often require cataract surgery at an early age; however, postoperative results are compromised by corneal aberrations and difficulties achieving a desired refractive endpoint. We describe the use of the IC-8 small-aperture intraocular lens (IOL) in 3 patients who had previous laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Standard cataract surgery was performed in all cases. The small-aperture IOL was implanted in the patient's nondominant eye, and a clear aspheric monofocal IOL was implanted in the dominant eye. Visual performance was assessed between 1 month and 6 months after surgery. After surgery, all patients had good simultaneous near, intermediate, and distance visual acuities while maintaining stereoacuity and mesopic contrast sensitivity. This technique provided good visual outcomes in these patients who had cataract surgery after previous corneal refractive surgery.