A survey of intraocular lens explantation: a retrospective analysis of 23 IOLs explanted during 2005.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the indications, lens styles, perioperative findings, and results of intraocular lens (IOL) explantation or exchange performed in the authors department in 2005.


METHODS
The retrospective analysis comprised 22 patients (23 eyes). Twenty-one eyes had previous phacoemulsification and IOL implantation, one eye secondary aphakic IOL, and one eye phakic IOL implantation. The indications for IOL explantation/exchange and perioperative complications were evaluated. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery was compared.


RESULTS
Time from initial surgery to explantation/exchange varied from 1 to 121 months, median value was 46 months. The IOLs were explanted using local anesthesia and in 21 eyes replaced with new lens. Indications for IOL removal were opacification of the IOL in 12 eyes, malposition of the IOL in 5 eyes, postoperative refractive error in 2 eyes, recurrent toxic anterior segment syndrome in 1 eye, pseudophakic dysphotopsia in 1 eye, endothelial cell loss in phakic anterior chamber IOL in 1 eye, and visual discomfort with intraocular telescopic lens in 1 eye. The mean BCVA (decimal scale) before and after IOL explantation/exchange was 0.562+/-0.279 and 0.627+/-0.276, respectively. There was no significant difference in visual acuity before and after IOL exchange (Wilcoxon test).


CONCLUSIONS
The most frequent indications for IOL explantation/exchange were opacification of the IOL and IOL malposition. Surgeries were uneventful in most cases. Final visual results have been largely good. Long-term follow-up of patients with various types of IOLs should be maintained.
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital, Charles University, Sokolská 581, 500 05 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. jirasnad@fhnk.cz
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N
Jirásková
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P
Rozsíval
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A
Kohout
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020878:Device Removal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology