The use of perfluorocarbon liquids in the repositioning of posteriorly dislocated intraocular lenses.

Abstract

Removal of intraocular lenses (IOLs) dislocated into the vitreous cavity can be hazardous and result in severe complications and visual loss. Recognizing limitations in current management, the authors developed a new, safer surgical technique to reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications. The authors report eight eyes of eight patients with posteriorly dislocated IOLs in which perfluorocarbon liquids were injected into the eye after vitrectomy to float the IOL off the retina. The IOL haptics were repositioned in the residual capsular bag or ciliary sulcus, and the positioning holes of the optic were sutured to the sclerotomies under a scleral flap. With a minimum follow-up of 8 months (average, 12 months), all eight eyes improved in Snellen visual acuity, and six of them achieved a final Snellen visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Complications did not occur in any of the eight eyes. Preoperative cystoid macular edema resolved in three of four eyes, and the retina has remained attached in the one eye with a preoperative retinal detachment. Application of vitreoretinal microsurgical techniques and the use of liquid perfluorocarbons allow for the safer management of eyes with posteriorly dislocated IOLs.