Contralateral Autokeratoplasty, Pars Plana Vitrectomy for Luxated Cataract, and Flanged Intrascleral Intraocular Lens Fixation

Abstract

Purpose: To describe a case of a combined procedure including autokeratoplasty, pars plana vitrectomy (PPV), and scleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation. Methods: Case report. Results: We describe a case of an 85-year-old patient presenting a right, blind eye with a clear cornea and a left eye with acceptable visual potential but affected by bullous keratopathy, aphakia, and a posteriorly dislocated nucleus. The patient underwent a contralateral autokeratoplasty, PPV, and flanged intrascleral IOL fixation with double needle technique. After 24 months of follow-up, the graft remained clear, and the IOL was stable. Conclusions: Complex cases comprising anterior and posterior segments pathology sometimes require combined procedures. A shortage of corneal tissue in developing countries is common. In strictly selected cases, autokeratoplasty may be an option and is associated with fewer complications than allograft corneal transplantation. Sutureless novel techniques for intrascleral fixation of IOL have shown good results and reliable lens stability.