Posterior chamber phakic lens shows long-term efficacy in correcting high myopia

J Refract Surg. 2011;27(11):787-791.

A posterior chamber phakic lens treated high myopia for up to 6 years, a study found.

Results also showed high predictability and stability.

"Phakic intraocular lens implantation does not affect the shape and central thickness of the cornea and has the advantage of being potentially reversible. In comparison to clear lens extraction, [phakic] IOL implantation preserves accommodation and, as a result, is a better solution for younger patients," the study authors said.

They investigated the Phakic Refractive Lens (PRL, Carl Zeiss Meditec), a posterior chamber lens fabricated of thin, highly refractive silicone.

The retrospective study included 143 eyes of 82 patients who received the PRL for high myopia. Mean patient age was 28.7 years.

Mean postoperative follow-up was 3.8 years. Ninety-eight eyes (68.5%) underwent follow-up of 2 years or more.

Study results showed that mean logMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity improved from counting fingers preoperatively to 0.13 at 2 years and 0.17 at 6 years. The improvement was statistically significant (P < .001).

At 6 years, 23 eyes (67.6%) were within 0.5 D of targeted refraction and 31 eyes (91.2%) were within 1 D of the target.

Anterior capsule damage occurred in three eyes, temporary IOP increase in 14 eyes, pigment dispersion in one eye and lens decentration in one eye. No eyes showed evidence of cataract at 6 years, the authors said.