[Adjustment of sphero-cylindrical refractive errors in hyperopic eyes: 6-month results after cataract surgery and implantation of a light-adjustable intraocular lens].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether residual spherical and cylindrical errors could be corrected postoperatively in a non-invasive manner using ultraviolet irradiation in patients with axial hyperopia undergoing cataract surgery and implantation of a light-adjustable lens, silicone intraocular lens (LAL) (Calhoun Vision, Pasadena, CA).

METHODS

In a prospective, non-randomised clinical trial at Center for Vision Science, Ruhr University Eye Clinic, Bochum, Germany, 15 eyes of 15 patients with axial hyperopia (less than 22.2 mm) were studied. The manifest refraction, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) were determined with a follow-up time of six months to determine the achieved refractive corrections and their stability.

RESULTS

The adjustment and lock-in procedures were well tolerated by patients. Preoperative refraction was in mean + 2.56 D as spherical equivalent, postoperative before adjustment + 1.01 D, one month after lock-in procedure + 0.03 D, after 3 months + 0.12 D and after 6 months 0.0 D (± 0.21 D). 6 months after lock-in all patients reached an uncorrected visual acuity of 20/30 or better, 10 of 15 patients reached 20/25 and 1 patient 20/20. The data demonstrate the stability of the achieved refractive change after the adjustment and lock-in procedures.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative refractive errors were successfully corrected with precision and significant improvement in UCVA and without compromising BSCVA using the light adjustable intraocular lens technology. Our data demonstrate the stability of the achieved refractive change after the adjustment and lock-in procedures. The light-adjustable lens is a promising technology with the potential to eliminate postoperative refractive surprises of up to 2 diopters of refractive and cylindrical error following cataract surgery.