Foldable phakic IOL corrects myopia

Maastricht, The Netherlands-Preliminary results with the foldable iris-claw myopic phakic IOL (Artiflex, Ophtec) indicate it has a similar safety index when compared with the original polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) model (Artisan, Ophtec), but is associated with less early induced refractive astigmatism, which results in a better efficacy index initially and shorter visual recovery curve, said Rudy M.M.A. Nuijts, MD, PhD.

Dr. Nuijts, associate professor of ophthalmology, Academic Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands, reported results of Artiflex implantation from a prospective, European multicenter study including 25 eyes of 13 patients who had at least 6 months of follow-up. He compared their outcomes with a series of 99 eyes of 65 patients with the Artisan implanted who were matched by refraction.

"The Artiflex has a silicone optic with PMMA haptics and can be put through a smaller incision that minimizes induced astigmatism to speed visual rehabilitation and improve the 'wow factor' for patients undergoing phakic IOL implantation," commented Dr. Nuijts.

The 25 eyes with the Artiflex lens implanted represented 12 patients who had bilateral surgery and one with unilateral implantation. Patients who had the phakic IOL implanted in both eyes underwent the second surgery within 4 weeks. There were 12 females and 13 males, and their mean age was 41.5 years. Preoperatively, they had a mean sphere of –9.53 D (–6.5 to –11.5 D), mean cylinder of –0.79 D (0 to –1.75 D), and mean SE of –9.92 D (–6.75 to –12.13 D). The patients who received the Artisan implants had a mean age of 41.2 years and their mean refractions were –9.35 D (–6.5 to –11.5 D) for sphere, –0.73 D (0 to –1.75 D) for cylinder, and –9.72 D (–6.78 to –12.4 D) for SE.

Predictability outcomes