Ultrasound biomicroscopy of haptic position after transscleral fixation ofposterior chamber intraocular lenses

Purpose: To determine the haptic position of ab externo transsclerally fixa ted posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOLs) by ultrasound biomicrosc opy (UBM). Setting. Mansoura Ophthalmic Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. Methods: Ultrasound biomicroscopy was used to determine the haptic position in relation to the ciliary sulcus, iris, and ciliary body in 20 patients w ith transsclerally fixated PC IOLs. The patients ranged in age from 10 to 6 5 years. Results. All IOL haptics were easily visualized and imaged by UBM. Of the 4 0 IOL haptics, 22 (55.0%) were located in the sulcus, 11 (27.5%) anterior t o the sulcus, and 7 (17.5%) posterior to the sulcus region. Conclusions. Ab externo scleral fixation of PC IOLs is a blind procedure in most cases. Ultrasound biomicroscopy showed the difficulty in reliably pla cing the haptics in the ciliary sulcus using this technique. Thus, endoscop ic visualization of the iridociliary angle during surgery is recommended.