Postoperative complications of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy for myopia.

Excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy has become an increasingly popular surgical treatment for the correction of myopia. Unfortunately, no surgical technique can be entirely without complications. This article discusses the problems encountered following PRK for myopia in two main sections: those primarily refractive or optical in nature and those causing medical problems.

Secondary implantation of open-loop, flexible, anterior chamber intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To assess the results of implantation of secondary, open-loop, flexible, anterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) and compare the findings with those of other published studies. SETTING: A combined ophthalmology and ear, nose, and throat hospital in Middlesbrough, Cleveland, England. METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 81 patients who had secondary implantation of a flexible, open-loop, anterior chamber IOL by the one surgeon. The incidence of postoperative complications was ascertained, and best corrected preoperative and postoperative visual acuities were compared. RESULTS: Two serious complications occurred: one severe loss of vision that is still under investigation and one retinal detachment that was repaired with good residual visual function. Of all 81 patients, 92.5% were within one Snellen line of their preoperative best corrected visual acuity. These results compare favorably with those of other published studies. CONCLUSION: Using an open-loop, flexible, anterior chamber lens for secondary implantation is still an acceptable way to treat aphakia. The poor reputation of these lenses is undeserved.

Flexible open-loop anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation after posterior capsule complications in extracapsular cataract extraction.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze 50 cases of flexible open-loop anterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation after posterior capsule rupture and vitreous loss and compare the results with those of other published series. SETTING: North Riding Infirmary, Cleveland, England. METHODS: This retrospective study, with a follow-up between 3 and 81 months, comprised all patients who had a flexible open-loop anterior chamber IOL implanted because of significant posterior capsule problems during extracapsular cataract extraction. The incidence of postoperative complications and best corrected visual acuity results were determined. RESULTS: Three patients with cystoid macular edema achieved final best corrected visual acuity of 6/9 (20/30). There was one retinal detachment and one traumatic incision rupture with IOL loss 6 weeks postoperatively and subsequent retinal detachment and phthisis. Seventy-two percent achieved a best corrected visual acuity of 6/9 (20/30). CONCLUSIONS: Our results agree with those of other published series. Implantation of a flexible open-loop anterior chamber IOL as a primary lens is still an acceptable way of treating posterior capsule complications in cataract surgery.