DECENTRATION OF 5.1 MM INTRAOCULAR LENSES AFTER CONTINUOUS CURVILINEAR CAPSULORHEXIS AND IN-THE-BAG FIXATION

Purpose: To determine the incidence of decentration in eyes with 5.1 m m optic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and to assess the effect on vision. Setting: Clinical Cataract Research Unit, Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford, England. Methods: Patients having phacoemulsification and small IOL i mplantation over 12 months were identified and invited for assessment. Intraocular lens decentration was measured geometrically using a modi fied, digital, retroillumination camera. The expected incidence of sym ptoms caused by decentration was estimated by determining the presence of an IOL edge within an artificial pupil overlaid on the digital ima ge. Results: In 13 eyes (20%), IOL decentration was more than 0.5 mm. Symptoms were expected in 38 patients (59%) but occurred in only 14 (2 2%). Conclusion: Decentration of the 5.1 mm optic IOL caused fewer cli nical problems than anticipated, although the results raise concerns t hat such IOLs may be inappropriate in patients who need excellent visi on in scotopic illumination.