Angle-supported intraocular lenses: a goniophotographic study.

Twenty-eight eyes were followed prospectively by goniophotography after cataract surgery. Ten had no intraocular lens (IOL), ten had the "Azar 91Z" lens implanted and eight had the Cilco "Optiflex" lens inserted. Iris-haptic synechia or burial occurred in 9 of 10 of the "91Z" group and three of eight of the "Optiflex" lenses. These changes developed predominantly in the inferior angle and were seen as soon as 4 weeks postoperatively. Based on this data, preoperative gonioscopy is recommended prior to removal of these IOLs. Cutting buried haptics and leaving them within iris stroma may be a safe surgical alternative which avoids undue trauma to the anterior segment.