Long-term assessment of crystalline lens transparency in eyes implanted with a central-hole phakic collamer lens developing low postoperative vault.

Purpose: To assess long-term crystalline lens transparency in eyes implanted with phakic collamer intraocular lens (pIOL) with a central port and low postoperative vault for correction of myopia.

Setting: Clinica Baviera, Madrid, Spain.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional single-center study.

Methods: Using a noninvasive Fourier-domain swept-source anterior segment optical coherence tomography system, shifts in myopic and astigmatic myopic eyes implanted with a pIOL with vaulting lower than 100 μm in miosis and more than 4 years of follow-up were dynamically evaluated. Main outcome measures were pIOL dynamic vault (vault interval and vault range [VR]), crystalline lens density, and anterior subcapsular lens opacities. Crystalline lenses were examined under slitlamp microscopy, and lens density was evaluated using quantitative Scheimpflug images. Scheimpflug images were compared with those of a control group comprising eyes that were candidates for pIOL implantation.

Results: The study population comprised 24 eyes from 16 patients previously implanted with a pIOL (5.82 ± 0.9 years) with central vault lower than 100 μm under photopically induced miosis. The mean vault value was 52 ± 19 µm under photopic light conditions and 113 ± 37 µm under scotopic conditions. The mean VR was 58 ± 24 μm. Anterior subcapsular lens opacities were found in only 1 eye (4.17%). The mean lens density was 7.94 ± 0.43, and no statistically significant differences were observed compared with the control group.

Conclusions: Long-term low vaulting in eyes implanted with a pIOL with a central port for correction of myopia was associated with a low risk for developing anterior crystalline lens opacities.