INTRAVITREAL NEEDLE TECHNIQUE FOR INTRASCLERAL HAPTIC FIXATION OF POSTERIORLY DISLOCATED THREE-PIECE INTRAOCULAR LENSES

Double-needle intrascleral haptic fixation (Yamane) technique is a minimally invasive method for posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) fixation in the setting of absent or inadequate capsule support. A modified intravitreal needle technique is herein described for the management of three piece IOLs which are dislocated into the vitreous cavity. METHODS: In this technique, after completing pars plana vitrectomy, under the noncontact ophthalmomicroscope, the haptic of the dislocated IOL is docked directly in the vitreous cavity into a 27-G needle which is inserted through a transconjunctival tunneled scleral incision 2 mm. from the corneal limbus, and externalized from the conjunctiva and fixated sclerally. RESULTS: The technique is described with a case report. A male patient of 65 years old who underwent a complicated cataract surgery was operated using this technique. No preoperative or postoperative complication was seen. CONCLUSION: In this technique, the dislocated IOL is not taken in the anterior segment before the scleral fixation. The haptics are threaded into the 27-G needle directly in the vitreous cavity during the vitrectomy. This is a short cut Yamane technique for posteriorly dislocated three-piece IOLs. This technique may shorten the surgical time and minimize surgical trauma in cases with posteriorly dislocated three-piece IOL.