Sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lenses

Abstract

A technique is presented in which pars plana fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) is achieved by the transscleral passage of the haptics. The IOL used has three equidistant supple loops, each attached to an armed suture, which serve as haptics. A specially designed needle driver is used to pass the sutures into and out of the eye through the pars plana and along the surface of the sclera, where they are severed by cautery. Stable fixation is achieved without contact with the inner tissues of the eye, and no additional sutures are necessary. Lens stability is maintained even in the presence of asymmetrical fibrosis of the capsular remnants.