Permalens hydrogel intracorneal lenses for spherical ametropia.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy, stability, and safety of Permalens hydrogel intracorneal lenses for the correction of spherical ametropia 6 years after implantation.

METHODS

Implantation of intracorneal hydrogel lenses was performed by the same surgeon (JIBM) in five aphakic and five high myopic eyes. The lens closet to corneal vertex refraction was used. Refractive outcomes, keratometry, keratography, endothelial cell count, and corneal topography were studied.

RESULTS

Corneal tolerance to the hydrogel implants was maintained throughout for 6 years with no alteration in endothelial cell count. All myopic eyes showed regression of achieved correction. The aphakic eyes showed no statistically significant difference between the results at 1 month and those obtained at 1 and 6 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyrdogel intracorneal lenses are well tolerated and the refractive results are stable in aphakic patients. They may be considered when intraocular lenses cannot be placed in aphakic patients, but are not now in clinical use.