Long-term follow-up of primary anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term outcome in eyes having primary anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC IOL) implantation.

SETTING

Kimura Eye and Internal Medicine Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan.

METHODS

Primary AC IOL implantation was performed in 171 eyes from 1983 to 1988. Two lenses were implanted: the open C-loop Simcoe lens and the 4-point fixation Kelman lens. In 86 eyes that had a mean follow-up of 9 years 7 months, visual acuity, corneal endothelial cell density, pupil shape, and the presence of associated complications were examined.

RESULTS

Although the final visual acuity was 0.5 or better in 60 eyes (69%), corneal endothelial cell density was less than 2000 cells/mm2 in 46 eyes (57%). Postoperative complications included a deformed pupil in 48 eyes (56%) and bullous keratopathy in 12 eyes (14%). In 14 eyes the AC IOL was explanted; 11 of these were the open C-loop Simcoe lens.

CONCLUSION

Although our findings show that the open C-loop AC IOL (Simcoe) is contraindicated, implantation of the 4-point fixation AC IOL may be acceptable in selected cases.