PERMALENS HYDROGEL INTRACORNEAL LENSES FOR SPHERICAL AMETROPIA

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy, stability, and safety of Permalens hy drogel intracorneal lenses for the correction of spherical ametropia 6 years after implantation. METHODS: Implantation of intracorneal hydro gel lenses was performed by the same surgeon (JIBM) in five aphakic an d five high myopic eyes. The lens closest to corneal vertex refraction was used. Refractive outcomes, keratometry, keratography, endothelial cell count, and corneal topography were studied. RESULTS: Corneal tol erance to the hydrogel implants was maintained throughout for 6 years with no alteration in endothelial cell count. All myopic eyes showed r egression of achieved correction. The aphakic eyes showed no statistic ally significant difference between the results at 1 month and those o btained at 1 and 6 years. CONCLUSIONS: Hyrdogel intracorneal lenses ar e well tolerated and the refractive results are stable in aphakic pati ents. They may be considered when intraocular lenses cannot be placed in aphakic patients, but are not now in clinical use.