Alterations in the anterior chamber angle after implantation of iris-fixated phakic intraocular lenses

Purpose

To evaluate anterior chamber angle alterations after phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation using the Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug camera (Oculus) and the effect on intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior chamber inflammation.

Setting

Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Methods

Twenty eyes of 11 patients with high myopia who had implantation of pIOLs (Artisan/Verisyse, model 204, Ophtec BV) were included. All pIOLs were fixated on the iris near the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. Angles at the 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10 o’clock positions, IOP, and postoperative flare were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

The mean angle degree at 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10 o’clock was 40.3 degrees ± 3.3 (SD) preoperatively and 36.5 ± 5.8 degrees postoperatively; the postoperative angles were significantly narrower than the preoperative angles (P<.001). The mean angles at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock were 39.8 ± 3.7 degrees and 40.6 ± 3.5 degrees, respectively, preoperatively and 32.7 ± 6.0 degrees and 31.3 ± 5.4 degrees, respectively, postoperatively. The postoperative angles at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock were narrower than the preoperative angles (P<.001). There was no significant difference between preoperative IOP and postoperative IOP (P = .22). The flare at 1 month (r = 0.573, P = .0071) and 1 year (r = 0.700, P = .004) was significantly correlated with the angle change.

Conclusion

Partial localized narrowing of anterior chamber angles that occurred after pIOL implantation induced acute and chronic anterior chamber inflammation in patients with large angle alterations.