Scleral fixation using a hydrophilic four-haptic lens and polytetrafluoroethylene suture

Abstract

Abstract To assess the safety of scleral fixation using the Akreos AO60 intraocular lens (IOL) and Gore-Tex suture. Prospective evaluation of 20 patients who underwent scleral fixation of an Akreos AO60 with Gore-Tex. Patients presenting with aphakia or dislocated IOL without capsular support were enrolled in the study. Main outcome measures included visual acuity, endothelial cell density, and postoperative complications over 6 months of follow-up. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) uncorrected logMAR visual acuity improved from 1.92 ± 0.23 (20/1600 Snellen equivalent) preoperatively to 0.80 ± 0.56 (20/125) at 6 months postoperatively (p < 0.001). Mean ± SD best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) logMAR was 0.43 ± 0.23 preoperatively and 0.37 ± 0.24 (20/50) at 3–6 months postoperatively (p = 0.312). The mean ± SD endothelial cell density was 1740.50 ± 522.92 cells/mm2 and 1187.19 ± 493.00 cells/mm2 (p < 0.001) pre and postoperatively, respectively. Mean ± SD postoperative spherical equivalent was − 1.12 ± 1.50D. Postoperative complications included exposure of suture in 40% of the patients, hypotony in 15%, ocular hypertension in 10%, transient vitreous hemorrhage in 10%, retinal detachment in 5%, and transient lens opacification in 5%. Scleral fixation with an Akreos AO60 and Gore-Tex appears generally safe. However, given the high incidence of suture erosion observed, the use of scleral flaps or rotating and burying the knots is recommended in order to reduce the risk of this complication.