STUDY OF VISUAL OUTCOME IN PATIENTS AFTER AC-IOL (ANTERIOR CHAMBER INTRA-OCULAR LENS) IMPLANTATION DURING CATARACT SURGERY

Abstract

Background: Following posterior capsular rupture (PCR) and vitreous loss during cataract surgery, sometimes there is inadequate support for implanting a conventional intra-ocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag. Flexible openloop anterior chamber intraocular lens, trans-sclerally sutured posterior chamber intraocular lens and iris-claw lenses are the most acceptable alternatives in such a scenario. Objective: To review our experience with primary anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation at a District Hospital in Rajkot. Methods: Analysis of medical records of a consecutive series of primary anterior chamber intraocular lens implantations carried out at the G.T. Sheth Eye Hospital at Rajkot, from September 2011 to April 2013. Eyes with complicated or traumatic cataracts, ocular co-morbidity and cases of combined surgery were excluded from the analysis of visual outcome. Results: There were 70 cases of primary anterior chamber intraocular lens implantations during the study period. Posterior capsule rupture and resultant inadequate capsular support was the commonest indication for implanting the anterior chamber intraocular lens. Postoperatively 82.85% had a best corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better. The commonest postoperative complications were cystoid macular oedema, recurrent iritis and persistent elevated intra-ocular pressure (IOP). Conclusion: Our results indicate a satisfactory visual outcome with primary implantation of anterior chamber intraocular lenses. Caution should be exercised when implanting an anterior chamber intraocular lens following complicated cataract surgery, particularly in the absence of appropriate capsular support.