[Can the implantable collamer lens with AquaPORT technology safely prevent an angle block? Early experiences in the Homburg/Saar refractive surgery center].

INTRODUCTION: The spectrum of surgical correction of high myopia has been broadened through surgical implantation of phakic intraocular lenses (pIOL) as a possible alternative to corneal refractive surgery. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the intraoperative and early postoperative results of patients after the implantation of a posterior chamber implantable collamer (ICL) pIOL to correct high myopia. In particular the study tried to answer the question whether the AquaPORT technology can safely prevent angle closure glaucoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2012 to November 2013, 24 eyes from 12 patients suffering from a high myopia (-8.75 ± 4.37 D, maximum -22.75 D) underwent implantation of a posterior chamber implantable phakic collamer intraocular lens (ICL) with AquaPORT technology in the Homburg/Saar refractive surgery center. The implantable ICL consists of collamer, a collagen copolymer (Staar surgical-V4b/c).

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 35.5 ± 1.35 years. At 12 months follow-up mean uncorrected distance visual acuity improved among the patients from 0.013 ± 0.04 preoperatively to 0.8 ± 0.45 postoperatively and the best corrected visual acuity from 0.8 ± 0.16 to 0.8 ± 0.3. Mean spherical equivalent decreased from -9.00 ± 4.68 D preoperatively to 0.12 ± 1.94 D postoperatively. A statistically significant difference in the intraocular pressure (IOP) was not observed (p = 0.3). The central distance between the posterior surface of the lens and the anterior surface of the pIOL (vault) was 0.45 ± 0.49 mm (minimum 0.064 mm, maximum 3.706 mm). Despite the AquaPORT a 28-year-old white woman suffered from a high postoperative IOP of 42 mmHg in both eyes and an ICL with diameter of 12.6 mm was substituted by an ICL with diameter 13.2 mm without complications.

CONCLUSION: The implantation of an ICL with AquaPORT technology provides a reliable alternative with good postoperative visual quality to all patients with high myopia when corneal refractive surgery is not possible. In order to enable early detection and treatment of increases in IOP due to angle block, regular postoperative IOP measurements are recommended.