Short-term Visual Outcome Following Anterior Chamber Intraocular Lens Implantation—The Experience of a Rural Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Purpose: To report the indications, frequency and short-term visual outcome of anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation (ACIOL) in a rural tertiary hospital; as well as to describe the reasons for poor visual outcome following ACIOL implantation. Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study of all patients aged at least 18 years who underwent cataract extraction and implantation of ACIOL between January 2004 and May 2023. Information retrieved from the case records included preoperative visual acuity, indication for ACIOL implantation, first-day postoperative visual acuity, and 6 weeks postoperative visual acuity. Results: A total of 133 eyes of 126 patients were reviewed in this study. The mean age was 60.9 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1. The most common indication for ACIOL use was a posterior capsular rent (70.7%). The first-day postoperative visual acuity was 6/18 or better in 7 (5.3%) patients, and by the sixth postoperative week, this proportion had increased to 28.6% (38 patients). The most common complication on the first day post-op was striate keratopathy (72.9%), while the most common at 6 weeks was pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (21.1%). Conclusion: Although complications were noted with the use of ACIOLs, improvement in visual acuity was observed at 6 weeks. ACIOLs may still be relevant in settings where automated vitrectomy equipment is not readily available, but the availability of expertize is required for its implantation and the complication profile of ACIOLs must always be taken into consideration.