Posters

Aniridia: two weights and two measures...one IOL

Poster Details

First Author: N.Pinto Ferreira PORTUGAL

Co Author(s):    J. Pinto   R. Couceiro   M. Faria   M. Canastro           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Artificial iris-intraocular lens (IOL) implantation effectively improves postoperative outcomes faced by iris-deficient patients with associated cataract or aphakia by correcting visual disability, reducing glare, and addressing cosmetic issues. We report two different cases where this particular type of IOL was used.

Setting:

Ophthalmology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria - Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Portugal

Methods:

Retrospective, observational case study of two patients with combined iris and lens pathology of traumatic and congenital etiology. Both patients were male, otherwise healthy and aged 83 and 24. The first case presented with a penetrating ocular trauma in the left eye and the second with congenital aniridia in both eyes. Case 1 was pseudophakic. Case 2 had congenital aniridia with associated cataract, nystagmus, and glaucoma.

Results:

In case 1 best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was hand movements in the left eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed an open-globe with traumatic aniridia and aphakia. After primary repair of the ruptured globe, pars plana vitrectomy and implantation of a scleral-fixated artificial iris-IOL were performed. In the second case, BCVA was lower than 20/100 in both eyes. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed aniridia and immature cortical cataracts in both eyes. Cataract surgery was performed in the right eye; phacoemulsification went uneventful with an artificial iris-IOL implantation. BCVA improved in both cases. Decrease in glare and photophobia as well good cosmetic results were achieved.

Conclusions:

The cases presented show different clinical pictures of aniridia. Although operating on traumatized or congenitally aniridic present special challenges to the cataract surgeon, due to the great heterogeneity and complexity of the underlying ocular problems, artificial iris-IOLs represent an essential surgical device when treating these patients. Its use should regard only specific indications, and an individual approach is mandatory.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE