27-gauge needle-assisted externalization and haptic securing technique for sutureless scleral fixation of the intraocular lens – moving toward simplicity

PURPOSE: To report a modified technique of sutureless intrascleral fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens with use of instruments of anterior segment surgery and its outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-two eyes of 92 patients with aphakia and subluxated lens who underwent surgery were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 27-gauge needles were introduced transclerally and guided by the viscocanula to externalize via the main wound. The haptics were loaded into the lumen and externalized from entry points. The haptics were then fixed in a scleral tunnel made by a 27-gauge needle. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and complications were determined. RESULTS: Ninety two eyes which were operated and completed follow-up of 6 weeks were included in the study. The most common indications for scleral-fixated intraocular lens (SFIOL) were subluxated lens – 55 eyes (59%), and surgical aphakia – 31 eyes (34%). Sixty-nine eyes (75.7%) had a postoperative vision of uncorrected visual acuity of 6/18 on day 1. There was an improvement in mean logMAR BCVA (0.086±0.18) at 6 weeks as compared to preoperative visual acuity (p<0.05). BCVA of 6/12 or better was attained in 94% of the cases at 6 weeks. Special mentions need to be made for 6 (7%) of our cases. Three of the patients were cases of fully treated postoperative endophthalmitis who lacked capsular support. Two of the other cases had undergone pars plana vitrectomy for retinal detachment. Both had silicon oil removal done 1 month before the SFIOL procedure. One of the patients had Marfan’s syndrome. CONCLUSION: Our procedure is safe, easy, less traumatic, and less resource-demanding with good visual outcomes and can be performed even in low-resource settings of developing countries. It may also be considered in patients who have had posterior segment surgeries previously.