CLEAR LENS EXTRACTION AND INTRAOCULAR-LENS IMPLANTATION IN NORMALLY SIGHTED HYPEROPIC EYES

BACKGROUND: Currently used corneal refractive procedures do not offer a perfect solution for high hyperopia. This article proposes clear len s extraction and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for the correctio n of high hyperopia. METHODS: Extracapsular clear lens extraction and posterior chamber IOL implantation was performed in 10 normally sighte d eyes of five patients with a hyperopic spherical equivalent refracti on between + 7.88 and + 9.75 D. The follow-up period was 18 months. RE SULTS: Mean uncorrected visual acuity improved from count fingers to 2 0/25. All eyes saw 20/30 or better without correction. Postoperative c orrection ranged from - 0.37 to + 0.50 diopters (mean, 0.01). The mean endothelial cell loss percentage at 18 months was 11.2% +/- 1.87% (ra nge, 8% to 13%). CONCLUSIONS: The excellent results of contemporary ca taract surgery, the reduced morbidity, patient satisfaction, as well a s accuracy and rapid stability of the refraction suggest that clear le ns extraction and IOL implantation are useful refractive procedures fo r the correction of high hyperopia.