Implantation of a black diaphragm intraocular lens for traumatic aniridia

Purpose: To evaluate the suitability and safety of a black diaphragm poster ior chamber intraocular lens (IOL). Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, Unite d Kingdom. Methods: Seven patients who had secondary implantation of a Morcher 67G bla ck diaphragm posterior chamber IOL were identified. All patients were men w ith a mean age of 42 years who had previous ocular trauma resulting in exte nsive loss of iris tissue (traumatic aniridia). Simultaneous penetrating ke ratoplasty was performed in 4 cases. Minimum follow-up was 10 months (mean 19 months). Results: Best corrected visual acuity improved in 5 cases and was unchanged In 1 case. The lens was well centered in 5 cases. Two cases developed seco ndary glaucoma. 1 requiring trabeculectomy. One case developed infective en dophthalmitis but had a visual acuity of 6/18 at last follow-up, and 1 had a vitreous and anterior chamber hemorrhage, which resolved. Conclusions: The black diaphragm posterior chamber IOL overcame aphakia in eyes with considerable loss of iris tissue and may mitigate the visually di sabling effects of traumatic aniridia. Although this lens appears safe, cau tion should be used in its implantation until more patients with longer fol low-up are studied. J Cataract Refract Surg 1999; 25:808-813 (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS.