Innovative intraocular lens design to manage surgical aphakia in an eye with a filtering bleb

Abstract

An innovative intraocular lens (IOL), the CM-T Flex IOL, was used to correct surgical aphakia without disturbing a functioning filtering bleb. A 66-year-old man presented with aphakia in the left eye. Cataract extraction and trabeculectomy was performed in the left eye 2 years previously elsewhere. Corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) in the left eye was 6/18, and, on examination, it showed a filtering bleb that encroached on the limbus and superior cornea. The cornea was clear with a deep anterior chamber. Retinal examination was normal. Disc cupping was noted with a cup-to-disc ratio of 0.8. Refractive correction was performed by implanting the CM-T Flex IOL. This IOL has a unique design that eliminates the need for maneuvering the IOL haptics extraocularly. It entails a simple grasp, exteriorize, and release technique that anchors the IOL firmly to the scleral bed. At 6 months, CDVA in the left eye was 6/9 with a stable, centered IOL.

Application of the suture needle retrograde threading method in scleral fixation of intraocular lenses

“…Research findings indicate that the adoption of sutureless fixation techniques for IOL is progressively gaining popularity. For example, the successful utilization of a novel CM T-flex IOL, which effectively addresses the limitations associated with conventional three-piece IOL, particularly in aniridia eyes with a filtering bleb, underscores the significance of further exploration and consideration of sutureless IOL fixation approaches in future studies [ 12 , 13 ]. However, transscleral suture fixation possesses a broader scope of practical applications owing to its enhanced tolerance of intraoperative materials.…”

Challenges with foldable intraocular lenses with hollow haptics or eyelets in scleral fixation

“…One of them is the Carlevale IOL (Soleko), and the other is the CM-T Flex (Appasamy Associates). 8,9 Both IOLs have an overall plate-type design, with transscleral T-shaped haptics or plugs, which are exteriorized through sclerotomies locking the IOL in position using the horizontal limbs. They are both manufactured from hydrophilic acrylic materials.…”