Incidence and management of complications of transsclerally sutured posterior chamber lenses

Thirty eyes with an average follow-up of 23 months following transscleral fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) were retrospectively reviewed for complications. The most common complication was erosion of the polypropylene suture knots through half thickness scleral flaps (22 eyes, 73%). The average time for suture erosion through the sclera was 9.4 months (range one to 12). The polypropylene suture knots eroded through the conjunctiva in five eyes (17% incidence) at an average of 12 months postoperatively (range six to 18 months). All conjunctival erosions were surgically repaired. Other complications included clinically significant lens tilt/decentration (3/30, 10%), open angle glaucoma (5/30, 17%), and suprachoroidal hemorrhage (1/30, 3%). The complications associated with transscleral fixation of posterior chamber IOLs are distinctly different from those associated with anterior chamber IOLs. Prospective clinical trials may provide further information about pseudophakic rehabilitation in the absence of capsular support.