Ultrasound Biomicroscopic Analysis of Iris-Sutured Foldable Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lenses

Purpose

To report ultrasound biomicroscopic (UBM) findings of iris-sutured foldable posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PCIOLs).

Design

Prospective, noninterventional consecutive case series.

Methods

Fifteen eyes with foldable acrylic IOL implantation using peripheral iris suture fixation in the absence of capsular support were included. UBM was used to determinate the haptic position in relation to the ciliary sulcus and ciliary body in these eyes. Additionally, anterior chamber depth, lens tilt, site of suture fixation, focal iris or angle abnormalities, and relationship of iris to lens were determined. Main outcome measures were haptic position, anterior chamber depth, and iris anatomic changes.

Results

Of the 30 haptics imaged, 16 (53.3%) were positioned in the ciliary sulcus. Nine (30%) haptics were found over the ciliary processes, and 5 (16.7%) were over pars plana. No patients were found to have peripheral anterior synechiae present at the haptic position. The mean (± standard deviation) depth of the anterior chamber was 3.84 ± 0.36 mm. The iris profile was altered in all patients at the iris–haptic suture fixation site. No angle abnormalities or tilted lenses were found.

Conclusions

Iris-sutured PCIOL haptics were found to be in the ciliary sulcus or over the ciliary body with no significant tilt on UBM analysis. The procedure respects the angle anatomy, and no evidence of angle closure was found. The anterior chamber was deeper than has been reported previously for scleral sutured PCIOLs and was similar to that of pseudophakic eyes. This may have implications for surgical technique, IOL power calculations, and postoperative complications.