Assessment of long-term intraocular lens (IOL) decentration and tilt in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) following cataract surgery.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate long-term intraocular lens (IOL) decentration and tilt in eyes with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PES) following cataract surgery using Visante anterior segment OCT and iTrace Visual Function Analyzer.

METHODS

Sixty-four eyes following cataract surgery from 2009 to 2012 were included, 34 eyes had PES and 30 eyes did not show PES. A standard phacoemulsification procedure followed by IOL implantation was performed and patients were followed 4-6 years after surgery (mean = 69 months). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), capsulorhexis size, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured. IOL decentration and IOL tilt were evaluated using Visante Omni anterior segment OCT (Carl Zeiss Jena GmBH, Germany). The iTrace VFA (Visual Function Analyzer, Hoya surgical optics) was used to measure corneal, internal, and total optical aberrations.

RESULTS

Measurements with iTrace showed that horizontal coma was significantly different between PES and control eyes (p = 0.037). Horizontal as well as vertical tilt showed a significant difference between PES and control eyes (p = 0.035 and p = 0.039). Tilt correlated with capsulorhexis size in PES patients (p = 0.011). This indicates a forward tilt of the superior edge of the IOL in eyes with PES.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients affected by PES seem to have a higher risk for long-term complications and changes in visual perception due to IOL tilt and decentration after cataract surgery.