Twelve-month follow-up of the Artiflex toric phakic intraocular lens

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, refractive predictability, and complications 12 months following the implantation of a foldable toric phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) for the correction of myopic astigmatism. Methods: Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), subjective and objective manifest refraction, endothelial cell count (ECC), intraocular pressure, biomicroscopy findings, and patient-reported symptoms were the main parameters recorded pre and post the implantation of an Artiflex toric PIOL. Results: Twenty-eight eyes of 19 patients with preoperative myopia ranging from -1.00 D to -12.00 D and with astigmatism ranging from -1.00 D to -5.50 D had the Artiflex toric PIOL inserted to correct refractive error. Postoperatively, all eyes had UCVA of at least 6/12, 94% of at least 6/9, and 58% of at least 6/6. The CDVA improved in 38% of eyes and vision deteriorated by one line in one eye. Postoperative mean refractive spherical equivalent was -0.25 D (range -1.25 D to 0.00 D) with mean astigmatism being -0.60 D (range -1.50 D to 0.00 D). The ECC decreased by a mean of 6.17% (SD 5.63%) at 12 months when compared with the preoperative baseline. Conclusions: The Artiflex toric PIOL is an efficacious, predictable, and safe method of treating moderate to high refractive error with astigmatism.