Introduction

In aphakic patients, lack of capsular support or insufficient capsular support require an implantation of an anterior chamber intraocular lens or a sclerally fixated lens. Rigid PMMA (polymethylmetacrylate) anterior chamber intraocular lenses or transscleral intraocular lenses require an incision 6.0-7.0 mm wide. Purpose: Of this study was to evaluate anatomic and functional results of a new foldable acrylic anterior chamber intraocular lens (Acri.Lyc 15A, Acritec) through a small incision (2.8 mm).

Material and methods

The examined group consisted of 30 eyes in 30 patients, at the age from 48 to 87 years (mean 70.90 years, SD ± 10.57 years), who received a new type foldable acrylic anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC IOL). Examinations were performed before operation and 1-3 days, 1-2 weeks, 3-4 months, 6-8 months after the surgery. During all control examinations visual acuity, intraocular pressure, refraction, corneal endothelium density, pachymetry, keratometry, anterior and posteriori segment of the eye were evaluated.

Results

Preoperative mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.32 ± 0.36 and increased to 0.63 ± 0.33, 6-8 months after the surgery. We observed that mean corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) gradually decreased in the postoperative period. We observed some minor complications after implantation of the AC IOL (e.g. corneal edema, Descemet folds, raised IOP, hyphaema, distorted pupil shape, “iris bombe”, blood in the vitreous, displaced IOL and cystic macular edema), most of tchem were minor and did not influence the final results.

Conclusions

The application of foldable anterior chamber intraocular lenses through a small incision is a safe alternative for rigid PMMA anterior chamber intraocular lenses and transscleral intraocular lenses.