Opinion

Video

IOL Selection for a Patient Seeking Spectacle Independence After Prior Radial Keratotomy

A panelist discusses how he successfully treated a complex case of a 72-year-old patient with previous radial keratotomy by using an innovative combination of an Apthera lens in the bag and a light adjustable lens in the sulcus as a primary piggyback.

Video content above is prompted by the following:

Complex Case Study: PostRadial Keratotomy (RK) Cataract Patient

Key Discussion Topics

  • Complex post-RK case presentation
    • A 72-year-old man with 16-incision RK performed 22 years prior
    • Extreme refractive error (+8.00 with 5 D of astigmatism)
    • Significant irregular astigmatism with central corneal power ranging from 28 to 36 D
  • Surgical challenges
    • Visual acuity (20/50) worse than expected for cataract density (appearing 20/25)
    • Patient improved with pinhole, indicating irregular astigmatism
    • Required intraocular lens (IOL) power (35-36 D) exceeded available Apthera lens maximum (30 D)
  • Novel surgical approach
    • Placement of Apthera IOL in the capsular bag
    • Use of scleral tunnel incision due to 16-incision RK history
    • Off-label placement of light adjustable lens in the sulcus as a primary piggyback IOL

Notable Outcomes

  • Preadjustment refraction was +1.75 –4.00, a significant improvement
  • After light adjustable lens adjustments, patient achieved 20/25 vision with minimal residual refractive error
  • Similar piggyback approach with monofocal IOL plus light adjustable lens used successfully in the fellow eye

Newsletter

Don’t miss out—get Ophthalmology Times updates on the latest clinical advancements and expert interviews, straight to your inbox.

Related Videos
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) ASCRS 2025: Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD, on the effect of lifitegrast clinical signs and biomarkers in dry eye disease
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) The Residency Report: Clinical insights from the iStent infinite trial
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) ASCRS 2025: Amar Shah, MD, on why hyperosmolar tear film before and after cataract surgery matters
(Image credit: Ophthalmology Times) ASCRS 2025: Jason Bacharach, MD, on early-onset efficacy with perfluorohexyloctane in dry eye
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.