Combined cataract surgery and aniridia ring implantation in oculocutaneous albinism.

PURPOSE: To present results of cataract surgery combined with aniridia ring implantation in patients with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) in terms of vision, refraction, eye movements, and subjective photophobia and glare.

SETTING

Anterior segment services of Noor Eye Hospital, Tehran, Iran.

DESIGN

Consecutive clinical case series study.

METHODS

Enrolled patients underwent phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation and had 2 Morcher aniridia rings (types 50 F or 50 E) inserted intracapsularly. Preoperative and postoperative examinations included tests for visual acuity, manifest refraction, measurement of ocular alignment, and electronystagmography. After surgery, patients also completed a questionnaire to subjectively assess glare reduction.

RESULTS

Twelve eyes of 6 OCA patients were included. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. None of the patients had any intraoperative or postoperative complications. In addition to improved uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity and significant reduction of refractive error, all patients had a marked reduction of glare and photophobia after surgery.

CONCLUSION

Iris ring implantation during cataract surgery was an effective procedure for increasing vision and reducing glare disability in patients with OCA. In light of the results and patients' expressed satisfaction, a study should be performed to assess the outcomes of refractive lens exchange along with implantation of a PC IOL and prosthetic iris device in OCA patients seeking refractive correction.