Pars plana vitrectomy and sutured posterior chamber lens implantation

Transcleral suturing of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) was developed to extend the benefits of IOL visual rehabilitation to eyes lacking capsular support and to avoid the complications of closed loop interior chamber IOLs. Although most frequently implanted after complicated cataract surgery or penetrating keratoplasty, they are indicated in several situations following pars plana vitrectomy. The surgical techniques have evolved to minimize the risk of complications, but the surgery remains technically more demanding and time-consuming than insertion of a modern open loop anterior chamber IOL. No randomized trials have compared the relative risks of each lens type, which leaves surgeon preference as the major determinant of what lens is implanted. It is likely, however, that in eyes with extensive anterior chamber angle damage or large iris defects, sutured posterior chamber IOLs will remain the first choice for surgical rehabilitation. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.