Clinical Outcomes of Endoscope-Assisted 30-Gauge Single-Needle Technique for Intrascleral Intraocular Lens Fixation

We have developed an endoscope-assisted single-needle technique, which is an improvement of Yamane’s double-needle technique of the intrascleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation techniques. In this surgical procedure, the IOL is manipulated in the vitreous cavity, and the IOL haptic is externalized from the eye one by one with the aid of an ophthalmic endoscope. The purpose of this study was to report the postoperative visual function and safety of this new technique. Methods: Overall, 19 consecutive eyes (16 patients; mean age, 75.1 ± 9.6 years; mean follow-up period, 5.7 months) that underwent intrascleral IOL fixation surgery with our new technique were included in the study. Manifest refraction, uncorrected/corrected visual acuity, and corneal endothelial cell density were measured before and after surgery. Tilt and decentration of IOL were analyzed using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. Results: The mean absolute prediction error (spherical equivalent) was 0.82 ± 0.52. The mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity had significantly improved at the final visits ( p = 0.02). No significant differences in the mean corneal endothelial cell density were observed between the first (2,232 ± 751 cells/mm²) and final (2,099 ± 649 cells/mm²) visits ( p = 0.35). The mean IOL tilt was 8.1 ± 3.2°. There were no vision-threatening complications, such as retinal detachment, endophthalmitis, or IOL dislocation, during or after surgery. Conclusions: The endoscope-assisted single-needle technique is a safe and effective method of intrascleral IOL fixation surgery.