Computational simulation of aqueous humour dynamics in the presence of a posterior-chamber versus iris-fixed phakic intraocular lens

Purpose To compare aqueous humour (AH) dynamics in the presence of a precrystalline (Implantable Collamer Len (R); ICL) or iris-fixed (Artiflex (R)) phakic intraocular lens (PIOL). Methods By computational fluid dynamics simulation, AH flow was modelled through a peripheral iridotomy (PI) or central lens hole (both 360 mu m) in the presence of an Artiflex or ICL lens, respectively. The impacts of AH flow were then determined in terms of wall shear stress (WSS) produced on the endothelium or crystalline lens. Effects were also modelled for different scenarios of pupil diameter (PD 3.5 or 5.5 mm), ICL vault (100, 350, 800 mu m) and number of Artiflex iridotomies (1 or 2) and location (12 or 6 o'clock). Results For a PD of 3.5 mm, AH volumes flowing from the posterior to the anterior chamber were 37.6% of total flow through the lens hole (ICL) and 84.2% through PI (Artiflex). For an enlarged PD (5.5 mm), corresponding values were 10.3% and 81.9% respectively, so PI constitutes a very efficient way of evacuating AH. Central endothelial WSS in Pa was lower for the large vault ICL and the Artiflex (1(-03) and 1.1(-03) respectively) compared to the PIOL-free eye (1.6(-03)). Crystalline lens WSS was highest for the lowest vault ICL (1(-04)). Conclusions AH flow varied according to the presence of a precrystalline or iris-fixed intraocular lens. Endothelial WSS was lower for an implanted ICL with large vault and Artiflex than in the PIOL-free eye, while highest crystalline WSS was recorded for the lowest vault ICL.