Foldable IOL for glaucoma requires long-term follow-up

Long-term follow-up is necessary in secondary pigmentary glaucoma patients implanted with a foldable IOL in the ciliary sulcus, advises a recent journal paper.

A team led by Dr Shirley H. L. Chang, Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University, Taiwan, retrospectively reviewed 10 eyes of 10 patients who developed secondary pigmentary glaucoma after cataract operations. Results were based on data collected on cases between 2002 and 2011. Each patient underwent foldable IOL implantation in the ciliary sulcus.

IOP elevation was seen in 2 eyes within the first 2 weeks after cataract surgery and the onset of glaucoma was delayed in the remaining 8 eyes. The average onset time for the 8 eyes was 21.9 ± 17.1 months after the initial cataract operation.

Surgical treatment was administed to six eyes due to large IOP fluctuations and poor IOP control. Of the total eyes studied, only 3 presented with final visual acuities exceeding 20/40.

The visual prognosis for patients with secondary pigmentary glaucoma can be poor and implanting a foldable IOL in the ciliary sulcus could threaten vision. The study group advise that the long-term follow-up of IOP in these patients is required.

To read the abstract please visit BMC Ophthalmology.