Resolving refractive error after cataract surgery: IOL exchange, piggyback lens, or LASIK

J Refract Surg. 2013 Oct;29(10):676-83. doi: 10.3928/1081597X-20130826-01. Epub 2013 Sep 2.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy, predictability, and safety of three different procedures (intraocular lens [IOL] exchange, piggyback lens implantation, and LASIK) to correct residual refractive error following cataract surgery.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter study comprised 65 eyes of 54 patients that underwent phacoemulsification, resulting in a unacceptable final refractive error. Eyes were divided into three groups: eyes that had an IOL lens exchange (17 eyes), eyes that had a piggyback lens implanted (20 eyes), and eyes that had LASIK (28 eyes).

Results: No differences between the IOL exchange and piggyback lens groups in the spherical equivalent, sphere, or cylinder were found (P = .072, .436, and .081, respectively). The LASIK group showed a statistically significant reduction in spherical equivalent and refractive cylinder when compared with the IOL exchange group (P < .001 and P = .001, respectively). The LASIK group showed statistically significant reduced refractive cylinder in comparison with the piggyback lens group (P = .002). The median efficacy index was 0.58 (range: 0.28 to 0.93), 0.75 (range: 0.65 to 0.92), and 0.91 (range: 0.85 to 1.14) in the IOL exchange, piggyback lens, and LASIK groups, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between the IOL exchange and LASIK groups (P = .004) and the piggyback lens and LASIK groups (P = .003). No statistically significant differences were detected in the safety index among groups (P = .094). The predictability (±1 diopters of final spherical equivalent) was 62.5% of eyes in the IOL exchange group, 85% of eyes in the piggyback lens group, and 100% of eyes in the LASIK group.

Conclusions: The three procedures were effective. The LASIK group showed the best outcomes in efficacy and predictability.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperopia / etiology
  • Hyperopia / physiopathology
  • Hyperopia / surgery*
  • Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ*
  • Lasers, Excimer / therapeutic use*
  • Lens Implantation, Intraocular*
  • Lenses, Intraocular
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myopia / etiology
  • Myopia / physiopathology
  • Myopia / surgery*
  • Phacoemulsification*
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Refraction, Ocular / physiology
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Acuity / physiology