INTRAOCULAR-LENS IMPLANTATION IN EYES WITH FUCHS HETEROCHROMIC IRIDOCYCLITIS

Purpose: To evaluate the results of cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in eyes with Fuchs' heterochromic iridocycliti s. Setting: Saint-Victor Hospital, Amiens, France. Methods: We reviewe d the charts of 93 patients (94 eyes) with heterochromic iridocyclitis who had cataract extraction and IOL implantation by the same surgeon. In six patients, the IOL was placed in the anterior chamber; 9 receiv ed Binkhorst four-loop IOLs sutured at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions, and 79 received posterior chamber IOLs, 15 in the sulcus and 64 in th e capsular bag. Follow-up was from 6 months to 10 years (mean 41 month s). Results: Precipitates on the IOL surface and white keratic precipi tates were detected in 65.5% of eyes. Most eyes had minimal anterior s egment activity. No severe uveitis was observed. The major problem, ob served in 12.3% of the patients, was glaucoma. Best corrected postoper ative visual acuity was 20/40 or better in 76.6% of eyes. Conclusion: Eyes with heterochromic iridocyclitis responded well to cataract extra ction with IOL implantation. The restoration of satisfactory binocular vision justifies IOL implantation in patients with Fuchs' unilateral syndrome.