The Surgical Outcome of Clear Lens Extraction in High Myopia

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The authors evaluated the clinical results, the degree of satisfaction regarding daily activities and the quality of life after clear lens extraction in high myopes. METHODS: Thirty nine eyes of 23 high myopes over minus 10 diopters underwent clear lens extraction and had minimum follow up of 3 months. The preoperative and postoperative refractive status and subjective satisfaction about surgical result were evaluated. The average follow up period was 10.4 months. (range, 3~24 months) RESULTS: Preoperative mean spherical equivalent and mean target refractive error were -17.40+/-4.00D (range, -11.25~-28.25D) and -1.40+/-0.46D (range, -0.3~-2.2D), respectively. Three months postoperatively, mean spherical equivalent was -1.64+/-0.96D (range, +0.5~-3.62 D). Three months postoperatively uncorrected visual acuity was compared with preoperative best spectacle corrected visual acuity. Visual acuity was decreased two lines or more in 4 eyes (10.3%) and in 23 eyes (59.9%) 20/20 was noted or visual acuity increased 2 lines or more. Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) was noted in 12 eyes (30.8 %) and was the most common postoperative complication within 3 months. Three months postoperatively, every patient was asked about their satisfaction of surgery. All except one patient were satisfied with their daily activities after surgery. and all patients except two complained of difficulty in near vision. CONCLUSIONS: The clear lens extraction can improve quality of life in extremely high myopes, but posterior capsular opacity and decreased near visual acuity should be considered in deciding surgery.