VISUAL OUTCOME AND COMPLICATIONS IN 287 INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANTS (FEDEROW) COMPARED WITH 290 INTRACAPSULAR CATARACT EXTRACTIONS

Abstract

In 287 consecutively intracapsular cataract extracted eyes with a Federow intraocular lens implant (IOL) and 290 eyes [human] with consecutively performed intracapsular cataract extractions (ICCE) the final visual outcome and complications were examined in a retrospective study. The average observation time was 31 mo. in the IOL group and 37 mo. in the ICCE group. A visual acuity of .gtoreq. 0.5 was achieved in 75% of the IOL group and 77% of the ICCE group. The main cause of a visual acuity < 0.5 was maculopathy pre-operatively recognized. A visual acuity < 0.5 due to postoperative complications occurred more frequently in the IOL group (28 eyes) compared with the ICCE group (13 eyes)-P < 0.01. Intraocular implants (4.3%) had to be removed. The most important cause was dislocation of the IOL (9 eyes). During the first 12 mo. of IOL implantation, 8 dislocations occurred out of 56 implanted eyes (14.3%). The remaining 6 dislocations occurred among the last 231 IOL eyes (2.6%). Apparently, complications are few, but often serious in intraocular lens implant surgery. Careful preoperative examination and surgical experience are mandatory.