Sutured posterior chamber intraocular lenses for traumatic cataract in Africa

PURPOSE: To determine the outcomes of sutured scleral fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOLs) after trauma in an African population. SETTING: State hospital and affiliated district hospital, Cape Town, South Africa. DESIGN: Case series. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of the medical records of patients in whom a sutured PC IOL had been implanted for traumatic aphakia in the preceding 5 years. RESULTS: Eighty-five percent of the 59 patients had a significant improvement in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) at the final visit. Two-thirds of patients achieved an UDVA of 6/18 or better. Those not improving had severe preexisting macular or corneal pathology. A significant number of patients (28%) with angle recession developed ocular hypertension during the postoperative period. CONCLUSION: After careful preoperative selection, sutured PC IOLs were effective in the visual rehabilitation of eyes with traumatic subluxated cataract in which the capsular bag could not be retained.