Long-term results of correction of high myopia with an iris claw phakic intraocular lens.

PURPOSE

Anterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses (PIOLs) are one of the modalities used to correct high myopia. We report the long-term results of our prospective study on the Artisan 5-mm optic myopia lens.

METHODS

We studied 67 eyes of 38 consecutive patients with preoperative myopia ranging from -5.38 to -28.00 D. All patients were operated by one surgeon. Mean follow-up was 35 months (24 months in 67 eyes and 36 months in 61 eyes).

RESULTS

In 45 eyes (67.2%), postoperative residual refraction was within +/- 1.00 D of emmetropia. The mean refraction was stable statistically during the entire follow-up period. Mean best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/40 to 20/32. Mean endothelial cell loss at 6 months was 5.5% (range, -52.4% to +9.3%), at 12 months, 7.21% (range, -53.2% to +20.1%), at 24 months, 9.1% (range -43.6% to +13.6%), and at 36 months, 10.9% (range, -43.0O% to +11.4%). The majority of eyes had an increase in best spectacle-corrected visual acuity; 5 eyes lost best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. We encountered no major complications.

CONCLUSION

Implanting the Artisan 5-mm optic myopia lens in high myopic eyes resulted in a stable and accurate refractive outcome. The apparent progressive corneal endothelial cell loss remains a matter of concern.