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The Carlevale Sutureless Scleral Fixation Lens: Outcomes, Tips, and Pearls

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First Author: T.Guven UK

Co Author(s):    P. Maghsoudlou   I. Ahmed   A. Abraham   M. El-Ashry           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess outcomes for patients who underwent implantation of the Carlevale lens, a sutureless scleral fixation IOL, and determine surgical pearls based on this real world experience.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Great Western Hospital, Swindon, UK.

Methods:

Retrospective review of notes and operation videos for patients who underwent implantation of the Carlevale IOL from November 2019 to November 2020.

Results:

Four patients underwent Carlevale IOL insertion in 2019-2020 for IOL/bag luxation (75%) and iridodialysis (25%). Best-corrected VA significantly improved from 0.44 LogMAR pre-operatively to 0.29 LogMAR post-operatively (P<0.01) with a mean follow-up of 1.9 months. 3 of 4 patients did not have any post-operative complications. 1 patient developed post-operative corneal oedema and anterior chamber inflammation managed sucessfully with changes to the post operative antibiotic and steroid drop regimen.

Conclusions:

Key practical tips developed from experience with the Carlevale IOL include the importance of monitoring the position of the first haptic to avoid posterior drop, this is facilitated by handling the haptic at the T-junction. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure full removal of the lens capsule before Carlevale IOL insertion. Finally, we found placement of the two sclerostomies exactly opposite each other, at a distance of 1.5mm from the limbus was optimal for positioning. Based on this patient series we can see that the Carlevale lens is a safe and effective IOL for secondary lens implantation.

Financial Disclosure:

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