Laser in situ Keratomileusis following the Implantation of Iris-Fixated Phakic Intraocular Lenses

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to assess the safety, efficacy, predictability, stability and complications associated with laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for the correction of residual refractive errors following implantation of iris-fixated phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs). Methods: In this retrospective interventional case series of 92 eyes, an iris-fixated pIOL (Artisan®) was implanted to correct myopia and myopic astigmatism. In 10 eyes, a residual refractive error was treated using LASIK. Visual acuity testing, subjective refraction, slitlamp examination and tonometry were all performed preoperatively, then 3 months following pIOL implantation and 1 year after LASIK treatment. The endothelial cell density was measured both prior to pIOL implantation and following LASIK therapy. Results: Comparison of preoperative and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity revealed that none of the combined operated eyes forfeited ≧2 lines of visual acuity after LASIK. Uncorrected visual acuity for all 10 eyes after LASIK was ≧0.8. LASIK made a 61.5% mean reduction in astigmatism possible. Compared to the initial examination, the mean endothelial cell loss after LASIK treatment was 4.1%. Conclusions: For correction of residual refractive errors following iris-fixated phakic IOL implantation, LASIK appears to be a safe and effective procedure. Larger numbers of patients are required to verify this conclusion.