Black iris-diaphragm intraocular lens for aniridia and aphakia

We present the first reported use in the United States of a black iris-diaphragm intraocular lens (IOL) for the treatment of traumatic aniridia and aphakic bullous keratopathy. The patient presented to a university-based practice with contact-lens-intolerant aniridia and aphakia with painful bullous keratopathy from a failed corneal graft. He was treated with combined penetrating keratoplasty and transscleral fixation of an aniridia IOL. The patient's preoperative symptoms of debilitating glare and photophobia resolved substantially after surgery, despite mild postoperative inflammation that resolved. The symptoms associated with aniridia can be successfully treated with a black iris-diaphragm IOL; however, chronic low-grade inflammation has been reported with its use in some cases. (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS.