Long-term results of implantation of a plate haptic silicone lens in the capsular sac

Abstract

An important step in developing cataract surgery was the introduction of soft foldable silicone intraocular lenses in the middle 80's. Functional and morphological long-term data are a vital base for definite conclusions on the new material's safety and biocompatibility. Our study presents the long-term results after the implantation of a silicone posterior chamber lens with solid plate haptic design (STAAR AA-4203). All lenses were folded and implanted through a 4-mm small corneoscleral incision. Our study includes 54 eyes in 52 patients with a mean follow-up period of 56.5 +/- 8.9 months. A visual acuity of 20/40 or better was found in 90.7% of all eyes. All except one of the 33 eyes without any further preexisting ocular pathology at the time of the operation achieved a visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Two thirds of all eyes had a horizontal astigmatism of +1.0 D or less. By slitlamp examination more or less dispersed pigment was seen on the IOL's surface in 46.3%. 83% of the silicone lenses were centrated within 0.5 mm. A YAG-laser capsulotomy was performed in 7 cases (13%). IOL-related intraocular inflammations, cystoid macular edema or an elevated intraocular pressure did not occur in this group. Our satisfactory long-term results suggest an excellent biocompatibility of the IOL's design and material.