Phacoemulsification and opaque intraocular lens implantation for the treatment of intractable diplopia

Intractable diplopia secondary to paralytic strabismus may be treated with the occlusion of the affected eye. Established treatments include occlusion with a patch, opaque spectacles or contact lenses, and perfoming upper lid lowering procedures or tarsarrhaphies. Two cases are presented in which in tractable diplopia was resolved by performing clear lens phacoemulsificatio n and the insertion of an opaque intraocular lens. Both patients reported a resolution of their diplopia having been dissatisfied with other forms of treatment. Although opaque intraocular lens insertion is not recommended as the initial treatment of choice in such cases, it offers a valuable treatm ent option for those patients in whom other forms of therapy have failed.