Phakic intraocular lens: Two-year results and comparison of endothelial cell loss with iris-fixated intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and stability of a foldable angle-supported Acrysof Cachet phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) to correct moderate to high myopia and compare endothelial cell loss after iris-fixated Artisan and Artiflex pIOL implantation. SETTING: University Eye Clinic Maastricht, the Netherlands. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. METHODS: Foldable angle-supported pIOL implantation for myopia ranging from -6.0 to -16.5 diopters (D) was done. Uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuity, spherical equivalent (SE), and adverse events were documented preoperatively and 6 months and 1 and 2 years postoperatively. Endothelial cell loss after implantation of the foldable angle-supported pIOL and iris-fixated pIOLs was compared 6 months and 1 and 2 years postoperatively. RESULTS: There were 158 eyes. The UDVA was equal to or more than 20/25 in 95% of eyes at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. The mean SE was -0.17 D +/- 0.43 (SD) 2 years postoperatively. One patient developed pupil ovalization, resulting in explantation of the pIOL from both eyes. Acute endothelial cell loss in the foldable angle-supported pIOL group was -3.2% +/- 0.7%, significantly higher than after iris-fixated pIOL implantation. Chronic endothelial cell loss from 6 to 24 months after surgery was -3.8% +/- 0.7%. At the 2-year follow-up, the chronic endothelial cell loss in the foldable angle-supported pIOL group was not different than with iris-fixated pIOLs (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: The foldable angle-supported pIOL effectively corrected moderate to high myopia. However, acute surgical endothelial cell loss was significantly higher than with iris-fixated pIOLs. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: Dr. Nuijts is a consultant to Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Thea Pharma GmbH, and ASICO LLC; he has received study grants from Acufocus, Inc., Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Ophtec BV, and Physiol S.A. No other author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned