A review of results after implantation of a secondary intraocular lens to correct residual refractive error after cataract surgery

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical outcomes data related to secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation for the correction of residual refractive error after cataract surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A chart review was conducted to identify all eyes implanted with the monofocal spherical or toric AddOn(®) secondary IOL. Data were collated from charts where uncomplicated initial cataract surgery was completed. Measures of interest included the original IOL implanted, the postoperative refractive error (before secondary IOL implantation) and the associated corrected and uncorrected visual acuities (VAs). Postoperative data of interest included the residual refractive error, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA). RESULTS: Refractive and VA data from 1 week to 3 months post-surgery were available for 46 of 70 eyes implanted with a secondary IOL by one surgeon at one practice between 4/15 and 3/17. There was a statistically significant improvement in UCVA of about 2 lines after surgery (p<0.01), with no change in BCVA (p=0.94). No eyes lost a line of BCVA. There was a statistically significant reduction in the absolute magnitude of the residual spherical equivalent refractive error (p<0.01). In the 10 cases with a toric secondary IOL, there was a statistically significant reduction in refractive cylinder (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The secondary IOL studied here appears to be a viable surgical option to correct residual refractive error after primary IOL implantation.