Secondary intraocular lens implantation using the flanged intrascleral fixation technique in pediatric aphakia: case series and review of literature.

PURPOSE: To present a pediatric case series in which the flanged intrascleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation technique (Yamane technique) was used to correct aphakia. METHODS: The surgical database of a single tertiary children's hospital was reviewed to identify all patients who underwent secondary IOL implantation by a single surgeon from May 2018 to January 2020. The medical records and operative reports of all patients operated on using the Yamane technique were reviewed retrospectively. Intra- and postoperative complications and pre- and postoperative vision and refraction were documented to assess outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 12 eyes of 10 consecutive patients were included. Mean age at surgery was 10 ± 6 years. Indications for scleral fixation were ectopia lentis (secondary to Marfan syndrome [n = 3] or idiopathic [n = 1]), lens subluxation with intermittent pupillary block secondary to Weill- Marchesani syndrome (n = 2), early childhood lensectomy with insufficient residual capsular support (n = 5), and traumatic aphakia after an open globe (n = 1). Mean follow-up was 8 ± 5 months. No major intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperatively 1 patient required IOL repositioning 1 week after surgery. The location of one haptic was noted to be intrascleral but superficial in another patient, who did not require surgical intervention. The mean postoperative astigmatism was 2 ± 2 D. Good visual results were achieved in all eyes. CONCLUSIONS: With slight modifications, the Yamane technique can be adapted to the pediatric eye. This technique has significant surgical and anatomic advantages and provides stable IOL fixation. Visual outcomes and adverse events compare favorably with older techniques.