A retrospective analysis of the first Yemeni experience on Artisan phakic intraocular lens for the treatment of moderate and high myopia

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the outcome and safety of the iris-fixated Artisan phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) for the correction of moderate and high myopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective non-controlled clinical study of the data of patients who underwent Artisan PIOLs between March 2006 and July 2008 was evaluated. Pre-operative examination included age, gender, refraction, uncorrected (UCVA) and best spectacle corrected (BSCVA) visual acuity, predictability and safety were analyzed. Post-operative time course ranged from 12 to 36 months. RESULTS: An Artisan myopia lens was implanted in 62 eyes of 39 patients. The mean pre-operative spherical equivalent (SE) was –13.17 ± 5.62 D. The pre-operative myopia ranged from –4.5 to –24 D. Mean patient age was 25.44 ± 5.22 years. At last follow-up visit, residual SE was within ±1.00 D in 36 eyes (58.1%) and ±2.00 D in 56 eyes (90.3%). In the last visit UCVA was equal to or better than pre-operative BSCVA in 57 (91.9%) of the eyes. One eye (1.6%) lost one Snellen line, three eyes (4.8%) lost two or more Snellen lines and one eye lost vision (1.6%). Post-operative complications included anterior chamber reaction in one eye, rise in intraocular pressure in two eyes and retinal detachment in one eye. CONCLUSION: When laser keratorefractive surgery is not an option, implantation of Artisan PIOL to correct moderate to high myopia results in a stable and good refractive result with few complications that must be kept in mind.