• Users Online: 28335
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page

   Table of Contents      
COMMENTARY
Year : 2019  |  Volume : 67  |  Issue : 7  |  Page : 1066-1067

Commentary: Expanding indications of newer and economically viable phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens designs


SuVi Eye Institute and Lasik Laser Center, Kota, Rajasthan, India

Date of Web Publication25-Jun-2019

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Suresh K Pandey
Visiting Assistant Professor, John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Utah; Director, SuVi Eye Institute and Lasik Laser Center, C-13, Talwandi, Kota, Rajasthan
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_173_19

Rights and Permissions

How to cite this article:
Pandey SK, Sharma V. Commentary: Expanding indications of newer and economically viable phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens designs. Indian J Ophthalmol 2019;67:1066-7

How to cite this URL:
Pandey SK, Sharma V. Commentary: Expanding indications of newer and economically viable phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens designs. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2019 [cited 2024 Mar 29];67:1066-7. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2019/67/7/1066/261013



The correction of a refractive error can be performed using an excimer laser corneal reshaping surgery (LASIK/PRK/SMILE) or a refractive lens exchange (RLE) or phakic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. While excimer laser corneal surgery remains the most popular and widely performed refractive surgery, foldable posterior chamber phakic IOLs are now considered a safe, precise, and predictable alternative to laser corneal refractive surgery when treating moderate to high myopia, which also preserves the patient's ability to accommodate as compared to RLE.[1] Currently, posterior chamber phakic IOL is the most commonly used phakic implant model that came into existence in 1986 and was first developed by Dr. S. Fyodorov.[2] Published clinical studies of phakic IOLs demonstrate promising results for the correction of refractive errors not amenable to standard excimer laser refractive surgery.[2],[3] Globally, the most commonly used phakic IOL is manufactured by STAAR Surgical, the Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL), made of a trademark material known as “Collamer,” which is a copolymer of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (99%) and porcine collagen (1%).

In India, the technique of implantation of phakic IOL (Visian ICL) was used by only a handful of ophthalmic surgeons due to several reasons; the ICL was expensive and there was a learning curve to master the ICL loading and implantation technique as well as risk of associated intra-operative (improper loading resulting in upside down ICL implantation) and postoperative complications, such as raised intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior sub-capsular lenticular opacities.[2] The new ICL phakic IOL design (EVO Visian V4c) obviated the need for pre-op Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser peripheral iridectomy and central hole enables aqueous flow, significantly reducing the formation of anterior sub-capsular cataract.[1],[4]

In last few years, Indian companies have introduced economically viable foldable posterior chamber phakic IOL designs, such as implantable phakic contact lens (IPCL; Care Group, Vadodara, India), Eyecryl phakic IOL (Biotech Vision Care, Ahmedabad, India), and refractive implantable lens (RIL; Appasamy, Chennai, India). Several ophthalmic surgeons are now started using Indian phakic IOLs for correction of myopia, toric phakic IOLs for managing myopic astigmatism and for stable keratoconus, and multifocal diffractive phakic IOLs for correction of presbyopia. The reason for the expanding indications is that, first, there is a substantial reduction in the cost of the phakic implant, and second, there is a minimal learning curve (in loading and implantation) as most of the eye surgeons are familiar with the injection system that is used for the implantation of Indian phakic IOLs. These phakic IOLs can be implanted using 2.8 mm corneal incision and these designs (with central holes) obviated the need for pre-operative Nd: YAG laser peripheral iridectomy. Indian manufacturers are also providing spare (stand by) phakic lens to surgeons, if there is any damage to phakic lens while loading and implantation. Few authors have recently reported their experience with Indian manufactured phakic IOLs with excellent visual results.[5],[6]

In this issue of Indian Journal of Ophthalmology, Sachdev et al. have shared their experience with two different types of phakic IOLs, in a retrospective study.[7] The IPCL and ICL were implanted in 121 and 203 eyes, respectively, for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Inclusion criteria were: patients aged over 21, minimum endothelial cell count of 2500 cells/mm2, and anterior chamber depth (ACD) of at least 2.8 mm. The analysis compared the pre-operative features, postoperative visual outcomes, and associated complications in detail. Each patient was thoroughly evaluated and underwent a comprehensive ocular examination before the surgery. Results of this study suggested that posterior chamber phakic IOL implantation has a high success rate. An uncorrected visual acuity of 20/32 or better was achieved in 86.5% and 88.67% of the eyes, respectively. About 90% and 94% of the eyes achieved a postoperative manifest spherical equivalent within ±0.5D. Three eyes (2.52%) in the IPCL group versus 1 eye (0.49%) in the ICL group developed a visually significant cataract requiring surgical intervention. The authors have appropriately mentioned that with the introduction of the new version of the IPCL (IPCL V2) containing a 350 microns central hole, the need for a peripheral iridectomy is obviated and it possibly brings down the incidence of cataract and pupillary block glaucoma. Studies comparing outcomes of IPCL with and without the central hole will be helpful to demonstrate the same.

As shown in aforementioned study, in the absence of contraindications, phakic IOLs represent an excellent cornea saving, reversible option for the correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. All phakic IOL models have several advantages in common, including rapid visual recovery, excellent refractive stability, improved visual acuity, no removal of ocular tissue, retention of accommodation, and reversibility of the procedure. Small incisions (less than 3.0 mm) and the rotational stability of toric phakic IOL models allow rapid visual rehabilitation. On the whole, complications are rare and depend, to a large extent, on the phakic IOL loading, location, sizing, and placement of the phakic IOL. Inappropriate sizing of phakic implants can cause complications, under sizing leading to anterior sub-capsular cataract, rotation of lens causing refractive surprise, and oversizing resulting in increased intraocular pressure due to the blockage of aqueous outflow.

How to minimize the complications associated with phakic IOL?

Proper case selection, comprehensive ocular (anterior and posterior segment) evaluation, refraction (manifest and cycloplegic), gonioscopy, and detailed workup (for precise sizing and refractive power of the phakic implant) are mandatory to minimize complications associated with phakic IOLs. Prerequisite for appropriate case selection includes: age >21 years; stable refraction (less than 0.5D change over 1 year); clear crystalline lens; ametropia not appropriate for excimer laser surgery; unsatisfactory vision with contact lenses or spectacles; appropriate pupil size for the specified phakic IOL; adequate (2.8 mm or more) ACD; endothelial cell count of 2500 cells/mm2 or more; and no ocular pathology, such as compromised corneal endothelium, iritis, iris atrophy, rubeosis iridis, cataract, glaucoma, and retinal disorders.[8]

Precise calculations and appropriate sizing of phakic IOL are extremely important and depend on ACD and horizontal white-to-white (WTW) diameter. ACD measurement (from corneal endothelium) can be done by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), optical biometry, or Scheimpflug imaging. Measurement of precise horizontal WTW diameter is mandatory for the selection of the phakic IOL diameter and is commonly done with a digital caliper under microscope magnification, with the patient in a reclined position. However, the best method to measure sulcus-to-sulcus distance is high-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy. Other methods, such as AS-OCT or Scheimpflug imaging, can also be used to estimate the sulcus-to-sulcus distance by measuring the WTW diameter and adding 0.5–1.0 mm.[9] Loading and implantation of Indian phakic IOLs require a minimal learning curve and this technique is quite similar to foldable posterior chamber pseudophakic IOL implantation. Most of the ophthalmic surgeons are familiar with the cartridge and the injector system and therefore, there is greater acceptability for this procedure.

Are there other indications of newer designs of phakic IOLs?

In addition to correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism, several models of customized toric phakic implants (Toric IPCL that can correct up to 10D cylinder) are now available that can be used in cases of stable keratoconus, keratoconus with corneal cross-linking, correction of residual refractive error in post-keratoplasty cases, and correction of unilateral high refractive error in pediatric cases to prevent anisometropic amblyopia.[10–12] Multifocal diffractive phakic IOLs are also available to correct presbyopia. Customized toric or multifocal phakic posterior chamber IOLs can be implanted in a piggyback manner to correct postoperative refractive surprise. We have used customized toric phakic IOLs in 8 cases of stable keratoconus and multifocal phakic IOLs in 12 cases with excellent visual outcome.[13] Customized toric phakic IOL (IPCL) can be positioned at 0–180° axis without the need of rotation. We believe that the improvements in phakic lens designs and implantation techniques and availability of economically viable and newer customized toric phakic and multifocal phakic IOLs designs by Indian manufacturers have led to greater adoption and therefore expanding the use of these implants for a variety of indications. Preloaded designs are under development to minimize complication related to loading and implantation of phakic implants. Long term follow-up of these patients is mandatory to detect and manage any sequel/complication (phakic lens vault, endothelial cell loss, raised IOP and lenticular opacity, etc.) after phakic IOL implantation.



 
  References Top

1.
Kohnen T. Phakic intraocular lenses: Where are we now? J Cataract Refract Surg 2018;44:121-3.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Pineda R II, Chauhan T. Phakic intraocular lenses and their special indications. J Ophthalmic Vis Res 2016;11:422-8.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]  [Full text]  
3.
Mastropasqua L, Toto L, Nubile M, Falconio G, Ciancaglini M. Long-term complications of bilateral posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation. J Cataract Refract Surg 2004;30:901-4.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Shimizu K, Kamiya K, Igarashi A, Kobashi H, Shimizu K, Kamiya K, et al. Long-term comparison of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens with and without a central hole (hole ICL and conventional ICL) implantation for moderate to high myopia and myopic astigmatism. Medicine 2016;95:e3270.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Yaşa D, Ürdem U, Aǧca A, Yildirim Y, Kepez Yildiz B, Kandemir Beşek N, et al. Early results with a new posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens in patients with high myopia. J Ophthalmol 2018:8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1329874.  Back to cited text no. 5
    
6.
Vasavada V, Srivastava S, Vasavada SA, Sudhalkar A, Vasavada AR, Vasavada VA. Safety and efficacy of a new phakic posterior chamber IOL for correction of myopia: 3 years of follow-up. J Refract Surg 2018;34:817-23.  Back to cited text no. 6
    
7.
Sachdev GS, Singh S, Ramamurthy S, Rajpal N, Dandapani R. Comparative analysis of clinical outcomes between two types of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lenses for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism. Indian J Ophthalmol 2019;67:1061-5.  Back to cited text no. 7
  [Full text]  
8.
Baikoff G. Anterior segment OCT and phakic intraocular lenses: A perspective. J Cataract Refract Surg 2006;31:1827-35.  Back to cited text no. 8
    
9.
Lovisolo CF, Reinstein DZ. Phakic intraocular lenses. Surv Ophthalmol 2005;50:549-87.  Back to cited text no. 9
    
10.
Pirouzian A. Pediatric phakic intraocular lens surgery: Review of clinical studies. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 2010;21:249-54.  Back to cited text no. 10
    
11.
Alió JL, Peña-García P, Abdulla GF, Zein G, Abu-Mustafa SK. Comparison of iris-claw and posterior chamber collagen copolymer phakic intraocular lenses in keratoconus. J Cataract Refract Surg 2014;40:383-94.  Back to cited text no. 11
    
12.
Schempf T, Jung HC. Off-Label use of phakic intraocular lens with a “piggyback” technique. Case Rep Ophthalmol 2018;9:465-72.  Back to cited text no. 12
    
13.
Pandey SK, Sharma V. Our experience with customized toric phakic IOL and multifocal phakic IOL. Presented in All India Ophthalmology Society Conference, Coimbatore, 2018.  Back to cited text no. 13
    



This article has been cited by
1 Reasons for declining corneal refractive laser correction for refractive candidates in Southern India
Venugopal Anitha, Revathi Rajaraman, Mangala Periasamy, Meenakshi Ravindran, Ramakrishnan Rangappa, Mohammed Sithiq Uduman
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2024; 72(1): 118
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
2 Vertical rotation of phakic intraocular lens to achieve optimal vaulting in a myopic eye
Surabhi Khandelwal, Neeraj Shah, Devika Singh
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology - Case Reports. 2023; 3(3): 644
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
3 Assessment of biosafety and implantation feasibility of novel phakic refractive lens
Shaohua Zhang, Chang Huang, Huamao Miao, Junyao Wu, Chao Xing, Zhaoxing Dai, Jianguo Sun
International Ophthalmology. 2022;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
4 Evaluation of Visual Outcome of 2 Phakic Posterior Chamber Implantable Lenses in High Myopia: A Comparative Study
Ayushi Sinha, Rajesh Sinha, Vinay Gupta, Rinky Agarwal, Prafulla K. Maharana, Tushar Agarwal, Namrata Sharma, Jeewan Singh Titiyal
Eye & Contact Lens: Science & Clinical Practice. 2022; 48(1): 38
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
5 Influence of tomographic and biomechanical corneal indexes on myopic refractive surgery indications: A multicenter study
Francesc Duch, Ignacio López-Marín, Federico Alonso-Aliste, Mariano Hernández-Barahona-Campos, Santiago C Manito, Ángel Sánchez-Trancón, Luís Cadarso, José-María Sánchez-González, Joaquín Fernández
European Journal of Ophthalmology. 2021; : 1120672121
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
6 An unusual case of a rotating toric phakic intra-ocular lens
Y Umesh, Devika Singh, Anand Balasubramaniam
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology - Case Reports. 2021; 1(2): 262
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
7 Phakic intraocular lens: Getting the right size
Kalyaani Deshpande, Rushad Shroff, Partha Biswas, Kamal Kapur, Naren Shetty, AnnSarah Koshy, Pooja Khamar
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020; 68(12): 2880
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
8 Safety and efficacy of toric implantable collamer lens V4c model – A retrospective South Indian study
SRavi Chaitanya, Venugopal Anitha, Meenakshi Ravindran, Aditya Ghorpade, Ramakrishnan Rengappa, MahammedSithiq Uduman
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020; 68(12): 3006
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
9 Unilateral Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome Resulting in Cataract and Urrets-Zavalia Syndrome after Sequential Uneventful Implantation of a Posterior Chamber Phakic Toric Intraocular Lens at Two Different Surgical Facilities: A Series of Unfortunate Events
Kepa Balparda, Claudia Marcela Vanegas-Ramirez, Johny Márquez-Tróchez, Tatiana Herrera-Chalarca, Nicola Rosa
Case Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine. 2020; 2020: 1
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
References

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed2039    
    Printed31    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded235    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 9    

Recommend this journal