CILIARY SULCUS ANATOMICAL DIMENSIONS

Trans-scleral ciliary sulcus and iris suture fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) in eyes without posterior capsular support are techniques gaining wider acceptance. Primary indications are IOL exchange in pseudophakic bullous keratopathy and secondary IOL insertion in aphakia. Accurate placement of the posterior chamber lens loops within the ciliary sulcus is based on knowledge of ciliary sulcus anatomy. Nineteen postmortem eyes were sectioned in the coronal plane to expose the posterior iris border and the ciliary body. Ciliary sulcus diameters were measured, and the mean diameter was 11.0 +/- 0.37 mm. The mean limbus-ciliary sulcus distance was then measured by passing 26-gauge needles through the ciliary sulcus and sclera. The mean limbus-ciliary sulcus distance was 0.9 mm. These measurements may guide ophthalmic surgeons in choosing appropriate IOL designs for IOL exchange or secondary IOL procedures.