Long-Term Outcome and Complications of IOL-Exchange

David A Märker; Viola Radeck; Teresa Barth; Horst Helbig; Nicolas C D Scherer

doi:10.2147/OPTH.S436963

Long-Term Outcome and Complications of IOL-Exchange

Clin Ophthalmol. 2023 Oct 31:17:3243-3248. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S436963. eCollection 2023.

Authors

David A Märker¹, Viola Radeck¹, Teresa Barth¹, Horst Helbig¹, Nicolas C D Scherer^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, Universitätsklinikum Regensburg, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.
² Department of Ophthalmology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Bavaria, Germany.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the long-term outcome after intraocular lens (IOL) exchange for IOL-opacification with a focus on any occurring complications.

Patients and methods: Patients with an IOL exchange for opacified IOLs (Lentis LS-502-1) were identified. Medical records and information from the treating ophthalmologists were reviewed. Visual outcomes and any occurring complications after the IOL exchange were analyzed.

Results: IOL exchange was performed in 48 eyes of 46 patients and significantly improved best-corrected distance visual acuity from 0.42 ± 0.32 logMar (mean ± SD) in opacified lenses to 0.25 ± 0.28 logMar after IOL exchange. Nine of the 48 eyes (19%) underwent 11 further surgical procedures for complications due to four indications: IOL dislocation (n = 2, 4%), retinal detachment (RD) (n = 6, 12%), epiretinal membrane (n = 2, 4%), and pupillary block (n = 1, 2%). Three eyes (6%) developed a temporarily elevated intraocular pressure. Temporary postoperative cystoid macular edema was found in 2 eyes (4%).

Conclusion: IOL exchange can restore vision owing to IOL opacification in most cases. Nonetheless, IOL exchange is not an easy or risk-free procedure. This may lead to sight-threatening complications, even in eyes without predisposing ocular comorbidities.

Keywords: IOL opacification; complications; intraocular lens (IOL) exchange; treatment of complications.