SECONDARY IMPLANTATION OF ANGLE-SUPPORTED ANTERIOR-CHAMBER AND SCLERAL-FIXATED POSTERIOR CHAMBER INTRAOCULAR LENSES

Purpose: To compare the results of secondary implantation of angle-sup ported anterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) and scleral-fixated posterior chamber lenses. Setting: Eye Clinic, University of Verona, I taly. Methods: This study of 68 eyes of 60 patients comprised two grou ps. In Group A (n = 35), an angle-supported anterior chamber IOL was i mplanted and in Group B (n = 33), a scleral-fixated posterior chamber IOL. Follow-up was from 12 to 45 months. Results: In Group A, one eye developed a retinal detachment and another, pseudophakic bullous kerat opathy. In Group B, one eye had a major intraoperative choroidal hemor rhage and two developed a retinal detachment postoperatively. All othe r complications were minor. Conclusion: Although the rate of sight-thr eatening complications was about 6% for both groups, scleral-fixated p osterior chamber IOLs were associated with more intraoperative and pos toperative complications than angle-fixated anterior chamber IOLs, and surgery took longer. Thus, anterior chamber IOL implantation should b e considered for older patients with relatively good endothelial cell counts.