Outcome of retropupillary Iris claw lens implantation at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is one of the most common intraocular surgeries performed in the Department of Ophthalmology of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Failure to implant an IOL in the posterior chamber can result in a compromised posterior capsule because of rupture or weak zonular support. Iris claw lens (ICL) implantation posterior to the iris (retropupillary) allows for posterior chamber implantation in the absence of adequate capsular support. Objectives: To assess the immediate and short-term outcomes of retropulillary ICL implantation as well as the immediate and short-term complications in patients at the LASUTH. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all patient case notes seen from January 2022 to November 2022 at the Ophthalmology department of LASUTH who met the inclusion criteria and had ICL implantation were collected and assessed. Patient’s demographic data, indication for ICL implantation, visual status preoperatively, postoperatively, and complications were analyzed. Results: A total of 20 eyes of 20 patients had the procedure in the study period. The age range was 12–70 and the longest follow-up period was 7 months with the shortest being 3 weeks. The mean preoperative visual acuity was 3/60, and the mean postoperative best-corrected distant visual acuity was 6/12. Immediate postoperative complications were uveitis (23%), raised IOP (5%), hypotony (10%), vitreous inflammation (13%), and cornea edema (13%). Conclusion: Retropupillary ICL implantation carries a good postoperative visual outcome; it is encouraged that this procedure is considered as an alternative to both anterior chamber IOL and scleral fixated IOL.