Secondary and exchange posterior chamber lens implantation.

A retrospective chart review of 34 secondary or exchange posterior chamber lens implantations was performed. Overall 94% of the patients achieved a visual acuity of 20/40 or better at six to 12 months postoperative. Associated intraoperative procedures included lens implant removal for exchange (50%), iris suture (41%), posterior capsule polishing (24%) or discussion (24%), and anterior vitrectomy (15%). The postoperative complications included retinal detachment (6%), persistent clinical cystoid macular edema (3%), posterior capsular opacification (3%), failure to fixate requiring iris suture (3%), hyphema (3%), and pupil capture (3%). Secondary and exchange posterior chamber lens implantation can be performed with satisfactory visual acuity results but there is a real rate of complication that needs to be considered by the surgeon and patient who is contemplating the operation.