title: New posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens for high myopia: three-year results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the 3-year results regarding the safety and efficacy of the Epi.Lens N, a new posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (PC pIOL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eye Center, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective clinical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A PC pIOL was implanted in highly myopic eyes of consecutive patients. Standardized follow-up examinations including uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected (CDVA) distance visual acuities and refractions were performed 1, 3, and 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient cohort consisted of 30 eyes of 16 patients. The study eyes had a mean manifest refraction spherical equivalent of -10.1 diopters (D) ± 3.4 (SD), which decreased to -0.3 ± 0.8 D postoperatively. After 3 years, all eyes achieved (47%) or exceeded (53%) their preoperative CDVA, thus improving the mean CDVA from 20/21 (0.94) preoperatively to 20/18 (1.14) postoperatively. The mean postoperative UDVA (20/20 [0.98]) resembled the preoperative CDVA (20/21 [0.94]). When analyzing all eyes with good visual potential (preoperative CDVA 20/20 or better; n = 18), 94% achieved a postoperative UDVA of 20/20 or better. One small-diameter PC pIOL contacted the crystalline lens, which led to slight anterior subcapsular lens opacification. Despite this, the patient achieved a CDVA of 20/20.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3-year results of this pilot study of a new PC pIOL showed good efficacy and safety.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
authors.affiliation: From the Eye Center, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. Electronic address: laura.gasser@uniklinik-freiburg.de.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gasser
authors.affiliation: From the Eye Center, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Biermann
authors.affiliation: From the Eye Center, University Hospital Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Reinhard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000867:Anterior Chamber / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D033401:Microscopy, Acoustic; D009216:Myopia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D054120:Phakic Intraocular Lenses; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012029:Refraction, Ocular / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology