Evaluation of the first 60 cases of poly HEMA posterior chamber lenses implanted in the sulcus.

Flexible lenses allow folding and inserting through a small incision. Using Faulkner's forceps, 60 hydrogel lenses were implanted in the sulcus through a 3.5 mm pocket incision following phacoemulsification. Mean follow-up was six months. The lens was suitable for the procedure when it was properly handled. When it was not, untimely unfolding or tears occurred, necessitating prolonged maneuvering in the eye or sometimes replacement of the lens which caused increased trauma. Though functional results were comparable to those achieved with polymethylmethacrylate lenses, all eyes achieving a visual acuity of 20/40 or better, morphological results were less satisfactory. Because of hydrogel's lack of adhesiveness and the inability to estimate the individual sulcus diameter, pseudophakodonesis was a common observation. The lens touching the posterior iris surface caused pigment dispersion (37%), sometimes leading to secondary pigment glaucoma. For this reason, we now favor capsular bag fixation.