Comparison of outcomes of primary and secondary implantation of scleral fixated posterior chamber intraocular lens

Aim To assess and compare the results of primary and secondary implantation of scleral fixated posterior chamber intraocular lens (SFIOL). Methods: The medical records of a consecutive series of 55 eyes of 55 patients with SFIOLs implanted during ( group 1) or after ( group 2) complicated senile cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed and analysed. Results: There were 30 and 25 eyes in group 1 and 2, respectively. Follow up was from 6 to 36 months. Mean logMAR postoperative best corrected visual acuity in group 1 was not significantly different (0.50 (SD 0.36)) from that of group 2 ( 0.36 (0.21)) ( p = 0.109). Postoperative best corrected visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 58.6% and 76.0% in group 1 and 2, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant ( p = 0.177). In group 1, 25 (83.3%) eyes had a total of 55 early complications, while in group 2, 16 (64%) eyes had 26 early complications ( p = 0.028). The difference in early complication was statistically significant. For late complication after 1 month, 21 (70.0%) eyes had a total of 37 complications in group 1, while 13 eyes (52.0%) had 19 complications in group 2 ( p = 0.077). The difference in late complication was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Secondary implantation of SFIOL after cataract extraction seems to have a lower early complication rate than primary implantation in complicated cataract extraction although the final visual acuity and late complication rate are not significantly different.