Clear lens extraction for the correction of high refractive error.

The results of clear lens extraction and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in 31 eyes with high myopia and six eyes with high hyperopia were reviewed. In the myopic group, 77% of eyes achieved 20/40 or better uncorrected postoperative visual acuity and 97% achieved 20/40 or better corrected acuity. Sixty-eight percent of eyes were within 1.0 diopter (D) of emmetropia and 90% were within 2.0 D. Astigmatic keratotomy (four eyes) and radial keratotomy (one eye) were performed for postoperative refractive errors. Intraocular lens exchange was necessary to correct power in one case. In the hyperopic group, all six eyes achieved 20/40 or better uncorrected postoperative visual acuity and all were within 1.0 D of emmetropia. During the 20-month mean follow-up, no retinal detachment or cystoid macular edema was observed. Posterior capsule opacification was the major complication and it developed faster than reported in other studies.