Ultrasound biomicroscopy in the assessment of intraocular lens positioning in a transscleral fixation techniquePurpose: To assess, through ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), the positioning of intraocular lens (IOL) haptics as related to the ciliary sulcus by using a scleral fixation technique, as well as to evaluate if two fixation points are sufficient to avoid tilting of the lenses.Methods: Sixteen aphakic eyes underwent an IOL implantation by means of the same scleral fixation technique, performed by the same surgeon. One month after surgery, both the positioning of the IOL haptics and the distances between the IOLs and the cornea were assessed by UBM. Results were statistically studied.Results: Of the 32 intraocular lens haptics fixed to the sclera, eight were placed inside the ciliary sulcus and 24 were placed outside the ciliary sulcus. There was no statistical difference in the distances measured between the intraocular lenses and the cornea for the haptics placed outside the ciliary sulcus as compared to the haptics placed inside the ciliary sulcus, suggesting that other factors, besides the distance to the limbus, may be relevant in the positioning of haptics in the ciliary sulcus. The same measurements performed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 hours, on the periphery of the lenses, were also similar, suggesting that 2-point fixation is sufficient to avoid tilting of the lenses in the eye.Conclusions: Other factors (e.g. the ciliary sulcus opening angle), than the distance from the limbus where the sclera is transfixed, are important for the placement of the lenses in the ciliary sulcus. Two fixation points are sufficient to avoid tilting of the IOL in the eye.
Biomicroscopia ultra-sônica na avaliação da posição das lentes intra-oculares em uma técnica de fixação escleralStudy sponsored by a CNPq fellowship.