Iridocyclitis associated with angle-supported phakic intraocular lenses

Purpose

To evaluate incidence, features, risk factors, and prognosis of iridocyclitis after angle-supported phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.

Setting

Private practice, Siena, Italy.

Methods

This retrospective analysis comprised 356 consecutive eyes of 212 patients. In myopic eyes, the ZSAL-4 IOL (205 eyes of 125 patients) or the ZSAL-4 Plus IOL (106 eyes of 63 patients) was used. In hyperopic eyes (45 eyes of 24 patients), the Type 54 IOL was implanted. Haptic posterior angulation was 19 degrees (ZSAL-4), 23 degrees (ZSAL-4 Plus), and 14 degrees (Type 54).

Results

Clinically significant iridocyclitis occurred in 11 eyes (3.1%) of 11 patients. Mean patient age was 37.3 years ± 9.4 (SD). Sixty-four percent were male (odds ratio [OR], 3.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8 to 7.4, not statistically significant). Iridocyclitis was observed in 4.4% of hyperopic eyes (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.3 to 7.4; not statistically significant) and in 2.9% of myopic eyes. In myopic eyes, it followed the implantation of ZSAL-4 IOL in 3.9% of eyes (OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 0.5 to 33.6; not statistically significant), and of ZSAL-4 Plus IOL in 1%. Mean time from surgery was 8.5 ± 10.6 months). Presentation included aqueous flare (100%), posterior synechiae (82%), blurred vision (82%), redness (36%), pain (27%), IOL precipitates (18%), and angular synechiae (9%). Only 1 patient had recurrences, leading to IOL explantation and cataract surgery. After topical therapy, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was fully recovered in 9 of 11 eyes.

Conclusion

Iridocyclitis can occur months or years after the implantation of angle-supported phakic IOLs. No statistically significant risk factors were identified. Functional prognosis is generally good.