Secondary Intrascleral Intraocular Lens Fixation With Lens Capsule Preservation for Aphakic Eyes in Patients With Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome: A Case Series

We describe three cases of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) in which good outcomes were achieved after secondary intrascleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation with capsule preservation for aphakic eyes. Three Japanese patients with PEX underwent phacoemulsification and aspiration (PEA) owing to challenges in IOL intracapsular fixation caused by zonular weakness. Case 1 involved an 83-year-old man with PEX. Six weeks post-PEA, 30-gauge needles were inserted to exit between the capsule and the iris. The IOL was fixed intrasclerally using the double-needle technique. Case 2 involved a 90-year-old man with PEX. The same abovementioned double-needle intrascleral IOL fixation procedure was performed eight weeks post-PEA. Intraoperative vitreous prolapse into the anterior chamber was observed, and anterior vitrectomy was performed. Case 3 involved an 80-year-old man with PEX. Seven weeks post-PEA, the patient underwent the same double-needle intrascleral IOL fixation procedure. Good IOL fixation was achieved in all patients without postoperative iris capture. No serious complications, including retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage, were observed. Preserving the capsule during secondary IOL scleral fixation for aphakic eyes can effectively reduce intraoperative vitreous prolapse, minimize surgical invasiveness, suppress iris flutter, and prevent capture of the pupillary IOL, making it a meaningful and acceptable approach, although the long-term risks, such as potential lens capsule drop, should be studied further.