The correction of high myopia by posterior chamber lens implantation into phakic eyes

Objective The aim of the study was to find out the refractive and visual results of posterior chamber lens implantation into phakic eyes for correction of high myopia and the reliability of the method. Method The Russian designed, negative silicone intraocular contact lenses (ICLs) were implanted into 54 eyes of 30 patients having high myopia by the same surgeon (OFY). Under general anaesthesia in all eyes a negative ICLs were implanted on the crystalline lens through a 6 mm corneal incision at the steepest axis and dilated pupil. Results A decrease in refractive error was achieved in all eyes. Twenty-four of the eyes (44.4 %) were within ±1.00 diopter (D), and all eyes were within ±2.00 D of the attempted correction. The mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 4.25/10 preoperatively and 7.80/10 postoperatively (p<.001). No serious complication was seen except for ICL damage by the lens holder in 2 eyes (3.7 %) peroperatively and a transient intraocular pressure (IOP) increase in 9 eyes (16.6 %) in the postoperative period. Conclusion The clinical and functional follow-up of the ICL implantation indicates that this method of high degree myopia correction is a good alternative when photorefractive keratectomy, LASIK and radial keratotomy are unavailable or unsuitable. A long term follow-up of the results of the negative ICL implantation has not been made yet. Thus the clinical and functional results of this technique indicate the need for further improvement of this method for myopic correction.