Changes in contrast sensitivity after Artisan lens implantation for high myopia.

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of Artisan lens implantation on contrast sensitivity.

DESIGN

Prospective consecutive interventional case series.

PARTICIPANTS AND CONTROLS

Forty-nine eyes of 30 patients with myopia and myopia with astigmatism, who underwent implantation of the Artisan iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens. Preoperative testing served as the control.

INTERVENTION

Implantation of the Artisan phakic intraocular lens to correct myopia.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Refractive predictability and Snellen visual acuity were evaluated preoperatively and at least 4 months postoperatively. Additionally, photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivities were measured at 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycles per degree, with and without glare testing.

RESULTS

The mean preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) was -12.16 diopters (D) (range, -6.88 to -18.00). The mean postoperative SE was -0.46+/-0.58 D (range, +0.50 to -1.75). Ninety percent of eyes were within 1.00 D of the predicted result, and 39% gained > or =1 lines of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). When compared with preoperative measurements, postoperative contrast sensitivity was increased under photopic conditions and slightly decreased under mesopic conditions. Adverse events were one wound leak requiring resuturing in the immediate postoperative period and one subluxed lens after significant blunt trauma. No eyes lost > or =2 lines of BCVA.

CONCLUSIONS

Artisan implantation for the correction of high myopia seems to be a predictable procedure. Increases in photopic contrast sensitivity values after implantation of this phakic intraocular lens stand in distinction to the decreases in photopic contrast sensitivity previously reported after LASIK correction of this degree of myopia.