RELAY INTRASCLERAL 6-0 POLYPROPYLENE-ASSISTED INTRAOCULAR LENS FIXATION: A RETROSPECTIVE COMPARISON WITH MODIFIED YAMANE’S TECHNIQUE.

Abstract

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To describe a new surgical technique that uses a relay suture to optimize sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lens (SF-IOL) in eyes with capsular insufficiency, and to evaluate the outcomes of this technique vs. flanged double needle-guided SF-IOL with haptic trimming (modified Yamane’s approach). METHODS: Relay intrascleral 6-0 polypropylene sutures with flanges generated at the intraocular ends were used to fixate, and securely hold a rigid IOL with haptic eyelets against the inner scleral wall. The results were analyzed at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: This retrospective cohort study found that compared with the control group (n = 27), the relay-sutured group (n = 26) had greater mean changes in corneal astigmatism (0.44 vs. −0.52 D) and fewer mean degrees of IOL astigmatism (0.62 vs. 1.1 diopters). The mean IOL decentration was comparable between both groups; however, in the control group, there was a significant increase in IOL tilt degrees from 3 to 12 months. Moreover, significantly higher proportions of patients with persistent macular edema and iris-optic capture were seen in the control group. CONCLUSION: The relay-sutured technique may be an alternative to flapless SF-IOL and provides a stable IOL position with acceptable complication rates.