Purpose: To compare the outcomes and complication rates of silicone oil removal (SOR) combined with secondary implantation of modern anterior chamber intraocular lenses (AC IOLs) versus scleral-fixated, posterior chamber IOLs (SF IOLs) in patients who lack capsular support.
Methods: A prospective, nonrandomized study was performed to compare 2 groups of patients between January 2006 and February 2011. Forty eyes of 40 patients undergoing AC IOL implantation (group 1) and 34 eyes of 34 patients undergoing SF IOL implantation (group 2) were included. The mean follow-up was 22.3 ± 6.3 (range 6-42) months.
Results: The mean postoperative corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) recorded at the last follow-up in groups 1 and 2 was 0.70 ± 0.50 and 0.65 ± 0.55, respectively (p = 0.71). A total of 35 eyes (87.5%) and 29 eyes (85.3%) in groups 1 and 2 had an improved or unchanged CDVA; 5 eyes (12.5%) and 5 eyes (14.7%) had a deteriorated CDVA. The most frequent postoperative complications in the 2 groups were transient corneal edema, elevated intraocular pressure, hypotony, and retinal detachment. The differences in the number of eyes and the total number of complications were not statistically significant for early (p = 0.06) and late (p = 0.13) complications between the 2 groups.
Conclusions: Both secondary AC IOL and SF IOL implantation with simultaneous pars plana approach of SOR are suitable for treating silicone oil-filled, aphakic eyes. No significant difference in visual outcome or major complication rates was found between the 2 groups.