Cosmetic iris implants can cause serious ocular complaints

Article

The use of cosmetic iris implants could result in ocular complaints such as uveitis, glaucoma, corneal oedema and decreased visual acuity.

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.

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