Purpose: To investigate the accommodative performance of the AT-45 (eyeonics Inc, Aliso Viejo, Calif) using three-dimensional ultrasound biomicroscopy.
Methods: The AT-45 haptic region was visualized in vivo 1 month after surgery in four patients using an in-house developed three-dimensional ultrasound biomicroscope. Haptic changes, axial shift, and accommodation amplitude were determined under pharmacologically induced accommodation.
Results: The angulation, depending on the accommodation state, could be distinguished and analyzed. In vivo a mean change in haptic angulation of 3.3 +/- 3.3 degrees (range: 0 degrees to 7 degrees) and a mean forward shift of 0.13 +/- 0.08 mm (range: 0.05 to 0.2 mm) were observed for the AT-45 using pharmacologically induced accommodation. A mean accommodative amplitude of 0.44 +/- 0.24 diopters (D) (range: 0.25 to 0.75 D) was found using a Hartinger coincidence refractometer.
Conclusions: Minimal angulation changes and axial movements of the AT-45 have been demonstrated using pharmacological stimulation and objective measurement methods. The mechanical performance of the AT-45 in these eyes does not appear to provide the range of accommodation necessary for close work.