High rate of late endothelial cell loss reported with lens in single-surgeon series

PARIS — A high rate of late endothelial cell loss was reported in a series of patients implanted with a phakic IOL by one surgeon in France.

The Artisan/Verisyse (Ophtec/Abbott Medical Optics) was studied in a retrospective series of 140 myopic patients and 25 hyperopic patients with 9 years of follow-up. Evolution of endothelial cell density was closely followed.

"France has a long history of phakic IOLs, due to Baikoff's leadership with angle-supported IOLs. Personally, I began implanting the Baikoff lens in 1989 and the iris-claw Artisan lenses in 1999," Jean-Michel Bosc, MD, said at the meeting of the French Society of Ophthalmology.

"The curve of endothelial cell loss was normal up to a certain point, with a loss of no more than 25% in the early postoperative period. Then, in 26 eyes of 10 myopic and 16 hyperopic patients, a dramatic drop of the curve was observed, and we had to explant the lens," Dr. Bosc said.

The mean time of explantation was 7.5 years, ranging between 3 years and 10 years. Mean cell density at the time of explantation was 1,000 cells/mm2, down to 600 cells/mm2 in some cases.

The cause of this late cell loss is unknown. Dr. Bosc said he closely followed laboratory recommendations in the implantation of all lenses.

Disclosure: Dr. Bosc has no direct financial interest in the products discussed in this article, nor is he a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.