Long-term results of phakic refractive lens implantation in eyes with high myopia.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term results of phakic refractive lens (PRL; Carl Zeiss Meditec) implantation in eyes with high myopia.

Methods: In this retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series, 143 myopic eyes of 82 patients were treated for high myopia with the implantation of the silicone PRL in the posterior chamber.

Results: Mean follow-up was 3.8±1.7 years (range: 1 to 6 years). Six years postoperatively (n=34), a statistically significant reduction was noted in the cycloplegic spherical equivalent from -14.08±4.00 diopters (D) (range: -24.88 to -4.75 D) before PRL implantation to -0.45±0.62 D (range: -1.00 to 1.00 D) (P<.001). At 6 years, 67.6% (23 eyes) and 91.2% (31 eyes) were within ±0.50 and ±1.00 D of target refraction, respectively. Mean logMAR uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity improved significantly (P<.001) (counting fingers preoperatively in all eyes to 0.17±0.15 [range: 0.54 to -0.06] and 0.19±0.19 [1.00 to -0.08] to 0.07±0.10 [range: 0.30 to -0.10], respectively). Complications included anterior capsule damage (3 eyes), temporary intraocular pressure increase (14 eyes), pigment dispersion (1 eye), and PRL decentration (1 eye). No eyes presented any signs of cataract up to 6 years postoperatively.

Conclusions: Long-term results show that PRL implantation is an effective and safe method for treating high myopia.