The intraocular lens: preliminary results in southwestern Indians.

We implanted Copeland iris plane lenses in 15 Navajo and Pueblo Indians. Visual results were gratifying. Complications have been minimal to date due to adherence to certain technical points and the use of postoperative steroids. The technique using standard intracapsular extraction is relatively simple. It is easier than the extracapsular technique or tying sutures inside the anterior chamber. The implant is certainly valuable in our population who uniformly fail with contact lenses. The mediocre acceptance and tolerance of aphakic spectacles, which is more common in Indian patients, is likewise overcome by the implant. Patients who have advanced unilateral cataract can now be operated upon and visually rehabilitated. More observation time is needed to evaluate the potential problems of cystoid macular edema and poor pupil dilatation complicating retinal detachment surgery.