Long Term Corneal Endothelial Cell Density Loss after Iris-fixed Phakic Intraocular Lens Implantation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report three cases of severe endothelial cell density loss after iris claw phakic intraocular lens (Artisan® lens) implantation. CASE SUMMARY: A 32-year-old woman underwent iris claw intraocular lens implantation in both eyes. Preoperative corneal endothelial cell count was 2,556 cells/mm² in the right eye and 2,674 cells/mm² in the left eye. After 4 years, the corneal endothelial cell count was 1,968 cells/mm² in the right eye and 1,997 cells/mm² in the left eye. A 27-year-old woman underwent iris claw intraocular lens implantation in both eyes. Preoperative corneal endothelial cell count was 3,222 cells/mm² in the right eye and 3,122 cells/mm² in the left eye. After 4 years 8 months, the corneal endothelial cell count was 2,729 cells/mm² in the right eye and 2,488 cells/mm² in the left eye. A 39-year-old woman underwent phakic intraocular lens implantation in other clinic, and the lens of left eye was removed the same day because of elevated intraocular pressure. She underwent iris claw intraocular lens implantation in the left eye. Preoperative corneal endothelial cell count was 2,500 cells/mm² in the left eye, which decreased to 1,873 cells/mm² after 8 years. Six months after intraocular lens removal and cataract surgery, her cornea endothelial cell count was 1,412 cells/mm². CONCLUSIONS: Although iris-fixed intraocular lens implantation is safe and effective for correcting myopia, at least 4 years of long-term observation for evaluating corneal endothelial cell density maybe necessary.