Implant Offer Patients With Very Low Myopia Alternative to Laser Surgery

Implantation of phakic implantable collamer lenses is a safe and efficacious technique in patients with very low myopia, according to research published in Clinical Ophthalmology.

Investigators conducted a retrospective analysis with 1 year of follow up on patients with myopia less than -3.5 diopters (D) who received implantable collamer lenses. 

The study’s main outcomes included visual acuity, refractive outcomes, vault, and intraocular pressure (IOP) assessed at 1, 6 and 12 months.

A total of 82 eyes from 82 patients were included in the study. The mean patient age was 35.06±8.46 years (range, 21-56), and the mean spherical equivalent was -2.34±0.82 D (range -5.50 to -1.00). 

Among all patients, the mean spherical implantable collamer lens power was -3.04±0.78 D. In eyes that had a toric-implantable collamer lens implanted (30.5%), the mean cylinder power was +1.64±0.64 D. 

The investigators report that the efficacy index (1.07) and security index (1.09) remained stable for 12 months. They also report a mean vault of 513.78±262.87 μm and mean IOP of 15.63±2.17 mm Hg at 12 months.

“Our study confirms that ICL implantation is a very good alternative to [laser vision correction] for low myopia patients while also offering the previously mentioned advantages: reversibility, corneal compliance, non-induction of dry eye and excellent visual quality,” the investigators report.