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Novel IOL suturing technique provides stable scleral fixation
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SAN FRANCISCO — A modified IOL suturing technique for scleral fixation has several advantages over a conventional technique, according to a study presented here.
The technique uses the Hoffman corneoscleral pocket and enables secure fixation of the IOL haptics without the need to perform conjunctival dissection, Tsukasa Hanemoto, MD, said at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.
Tsukasa Hanemoto
"This novel technique causes less postoperative foreign body sensation because there is no suture placement on the surface," Hanemoto said. However, the technique may cause more bleeding than the single-suture passing technique.
The procedure involves passing the needle with the suture loop through the Hoffman pocket, 1 mm from the limbus. The surgeon uses a Sinskey hook to retrieve the suture ends through the scleral pocket incision, ties another suture to the bed of the scleral pocket incision and again retrieves the suture ends through the scleral pocket. Sutures are tied to allow the knot to slide under the roof of the scleral pocket, Hanemoto said.
The study included 10 eyes that underwent the modified suturing technique; a control group comprised 13 eyes that underwent the conventional Hoffman pocket technique.
Average age was 76 years in the study group and 72 years in the comparator group. Mean follow-up was 3 months in both groups. Patients received an anterior chamber IOL that was 7 mm in diameter.
Results showed that mean corneal endothelial cell loss was 4.5% in the study group and 7.2% in the control group. Mean postoperative astigmatism was 0.51 D in the study group and 0.62 D in the control group.
Disclosure: Hanemoto has no relevant financial disclosures.