Cosmetic iris implants can cause serious ocular complaints

The use of cosmetic iris implants could result in ocular complaints such as uveitis, glaucoma, corneal oedema and decreased visual acuity, reveals a study in the Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.

Dr David Ritterband et al., The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, Valhalla, New York, USA, completed a case series on 14 eyes of 7 patients with cosmetic iris implants. The group gathered information including patient demographics, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), endothelial cell count and slit-lamp examination findings at presentation.

Decreased visual acuity was found in nine eyes, elevated IOP in 7 eyes, corneal oedema in 5 eyes and anterior uveitis in 5 eyes. Intraoperative complication discovered in one eye as suprachoroidal hemorrhage during explantation.

The investigation found a number of postoperative complications including corneal oedema in 8 eyes, cataract in 9 eyes and elevated IOP/glaucoma in 7 eyes. Additional surgeries performed were Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty in 5 eyes, cataract extraction and IOL lens placement in 7 eyes, trabeculectomy in 3 eyes, glaucoma drainage implant placement in 3 eyes and penetrating keratoplasty in 1 eye.

Explanation helped to alleviate symptoms but additional surgery and medication was required to lower IOP. Corneal decompensation was also needed for the majority of patients.