Iris-claw phakic intraocular lens for high myopia.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy, safety, predictability, and stability of implanting a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) (the Artisan myopia lens) to correct high myopia.

METHODS

An Artisan myopia lens was implanted in 78 consecutive eyes of 49 patients with preoperative myopia that ranged from -6.25 to -28.00 D. Mean patient age was 42.4 years. Mean follow-up was 10.7 months and all patients were followed for at least 6 months; 45 eyes had follow-up of 12 months, and 10 eyes had 24 months. The desired outcome was emmetropia in all eyes except for those eyes with preoperative myopia greater then -23.00 D.

RESULTS

Fifty-three eyes (67.9%) had a postoperative refraction at the last follow-up examination within +/-1.00 D of emmetropia, and 39 eyes (50.0%) had a postoperative refraction +/- within 0.50 D of emmetropia. The postoperative refraction remained stable during the entire follow-up period. Mean spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved from 20/32 preoperatively to 20/25 postoperatively. Mean postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/32. There was no significant change in endothelial cell density from baseline. We did not encounter major complications.

CONCLUSION

Implantation of the Artisan myopia lens to correct high myopia resulted in a stable and fairly predictable refractive outcome. A significant endothelial cell change was not detected.