Phakic posterior chamber lens implantation in children with high myopia

Purpose: To evaluate the anatomical and functional results after implantation of a phakic posterior chamber lens (implantable contact lens [ICL(TM)]) to correct high myopia with amblyopia in pediatric patients in whom conventional treatments had failed. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Purpan Hospital, University of Toulouse, France. Methods: An ICL was implanted in 5 eyes with amblyopic high myopia in 4 children aged 3 to 16 years. Mean preoperative spherical equivalent refraction was -12.8 diopters (D) (range -8.0 to -18.0 D) and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) was counting fingers to 20/200. Mean follow-up was 11.8 months (range 4 to 21 months). Results: Postoperatively, the ICLs appeared to be well tolerated, with no inflammatory reactions, stable intraocular pressure, and good positioning in all eyes. Predictability was +0.5 D (range -0.5 to +2.0 D) and BSCVA improved, with a gain of 3 or more Snellen lines with recovery of binocular vision in 2 cases and orthotropia in 3 patients, All parents reported an improvement in their children's quality of life. Conclusion:This preliminary study indicates that ICL implantation is a safe surgical procedure to correct amblyopia resulting from high myopia in children when conventional amblyopia treatments have failed. Longer follow-up of more patients is needed. J Cataract Refract Surg 1999: 25: 1571 1575 (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS.