Minimally Invasive Scleral Fixation of an IOL Using a Suture Thread Inserter Combined With 25-Gauge Vitrectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a novel surgical technique for IOL fixation using a newly designed suture thread inserter.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Scleral fixation of an IOL combined with 25-gauge vitrectomy was performed in 13 patients (eight aphakic eyes and five with IOL dislocation). Conjunctival peritomy was performed and scleral tunnels were created at the 2- and 8-o'clock positions. An infusion cannula was inserted through the inferotemporal sclera, and two cannulas were inserted through the scleral tunnels 1.5 or 2.0 mm posterior to the corneal limbus. After vitrectomy, the loop of the 10-0 polypropylene suture was inserted into the ports with a suture thread inserter. The haptics of the foldable IOL were sutured via the cow-hitch method. Haptic externalization was performed in eyes with IOL dislocation. After removing the infusion cannulas, the 10-0 polypropylene sutures were tied to scleral tunnels.

RESULTS

In all cases, the IOL was fixed stably and visual acuity was improved. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Scleral IOL fixation with a suture thread inserter combined with 25-gauge vitrectomy appears to be safe and minimally invasive for aphakic eyes and cases of IOL dislocation. The thread inserter mitigates the risk of hemorrhage. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2014;45:xxx-xxx.].