Clinical Outcomes of Iris-Supported Phakic Toric Intraocular Lenses in Corneal Ectasia.

INTRODUCTION

Our aim was to evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes of iris-fixated phakic toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) for visual rehabilitation in eyes with stable corneal ectasia.

METHODS

We conducted a study looking at the clinical outcomes of iris-fixated toric IOLs (Artisan) in 33 eyes of 27 patients diagnosed with mild-to-moderate corneal ectasia at a single center (Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, UK). The main outcome measures were functional improvement [accuracy of post-operative spherical equivalent (SE), astigmatic correction, topographic parameters, uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UCVA, CDVA)] and safety of the procedure: endothelial cell count and intra- and post-operative complications.

RESULTS

Eighteen males and nine females of mean age 38.85 were included in the study with a mean follow-up of 18 months. All patients had ectasia due to keratoconus except one with post-refractive laser ectasia. Twelve patients had crosslinking, eight had intracorneal rings, and eight had previous keratoplasties. Mean pre-operative logMAR UCVA was 0.75 ± 0.35 improving to 0.02 ± 0.17 (p = 0.000). Mean pre-operative logMAR CDVA was 0.16 ± 0.17 improving to 0.02 ± 0.17 (p = 0.000). Mean pre-operative (SE) was - 3.5 ± 3.9 improving to - 2.75 ± 1.39 (p = 0.000) with up to 36-42 months of follow-up. The mean value of endothelial cell density in the overall sample was 2252.54 ± 473.24 cells/mm2 pre-operatively and 2126.75 ± 365.21 cells/mm2 at 24-36 months of follow-up visit. Two patients have intra-operative hyphemia secondary to iris prolapse.

CONCLUSIONS

Implantation of iris-fixated phakic toric IOLs has shown high efficacy and safety in patients with mild-to-moderate astigmatism in corneal ectasia.