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Iris-claw lenses may be best option for secondary IOL implantation
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 José L. Güell |
VIENNA, Austria — Iris-claw lenses might be the best option for secondary IOL implantation in both phakic and aphakic eyes when no capsular support is present.
"Centration is not a problem with these lenses, and compared to other phakic lenses, they have the advantage of preserving the anterior chamber anatomy," José L. Güell, MD, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting here.
In aphakic eyes, there is a clear advantage in choosing this type of lens, he said. After a well-performed vitrectomy, the iris diaphragm slightly displaces itself backward, and the implanted IOL maintains a greater safety distance from the endothelium. Iris-claw lenses can also be implanted posterior to the iris, and a number of surgeons, particularly posterior segment surgeons, like this solution because it preserves the endothelium better.
"I personally prefer anterior positioning. I use the VacuFix method of iris fixation. A special aspiration tip creates a vacuum to clip a precise and reproducible amount of iris tissue," Dr. Güell said.
In his opinion, the iris-claw option is also easier and safer than sulcus-iris fixation.
"However, we need long-term prospective studies comparing the two procedures. They have a similar rate of complications, but in my experience they tend to be less severe with iris-claw lenses," Dr. Güell said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Güell is a consultant for Ophtec.