Abstract

• Aim: To evaluate and analyze the visual acuity after secondary anterior and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in aphakic patients. The most common reasons for performing secondary implantation were dissatisfied with aphakic glasses and intolerance or reluctance to use contact lenses. • Methods: In this prospective, non randomized comparative trial study was done at Ophthalmology Department of Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran from 1995 to 2005. Posterior chamber lens was inserted in 62 eyes (60.78) and anterior chamber lens in 40 eyes (39.21) depending upon the type of previous cataract surgery. Demographic and clinical data was analyzed from the patient's medical records during follow up. • Results: 102 patients 42 females (41.18%) and 60 males (58.82%) underwent secondary lens implantation from 1995 to 2005. Their age range was between 48 and 72 years (mean = 62.6 years), and mean follow up time was 20.2 months (range of 6-72 months). There were minor intra operative and post operative complications. The state of visual acuity three months after procedure and final suture removal was as follows: visual acuity of 20/20 in 48 cases (47.05%), visual acuity of 20/40 or better in 51 patients (50%), and decrease in visual acuity (3 lines of snellens chart) in 3 cases (2.95%). • Conclusion: The short term complications were not more than that the primary cataract surgery with lens insertion and the visual acuity outcome was as good as the preoperative best correction, so secondary lens implantation appears to be safe and effective for aphakic correction.