Is a transsclerally sutured intraocular lens a poor prognostic factor for the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment?

Six consecutive cases of retinal detachment that occurred in the presence of a transsclerally sutured intraocular lens (IOL) were managed between 1991 and 1993. Pars plana vitrectomy and a scleral buckling procedure were performed in all cases. One case succeeded with a single operation, another reattached after a repeat operation, and a third succeeded after three operations, including a relaxing retinotomy. In the fourth case the retina, which had been reattached for 6 months after the third operation, including removal of IOL and relaxing retinotomy, became bulbarly atrophied after sudden-onset intractable hyphema. The remaining two cases failed because of severe proliferative vitreo-retinopathy (PVR). The possible risk factors and a recommendation for management are discussed.