Changes in higher-order aberrations after implantation of a foldable iris-claw lens in myopic phakic eyes

Purpose To evaluate the change in higher-order aberrations (HOAs) after implantation of a foldable iris-claw phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) in myopic eyes. Setting Department of Ophthalmology, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany. Methods This prospective nonrandomized comparative self-controlled trial included 41 eyes that had implantation of a foldable iris-claw pIOL between July 2003 and November 2004. All patient data for HOAs (Zernike coefficient) were measured and calculated using the same pupil size preoperatively and postoperatively, and the root-mean-square (RMS) wavefront error was calculated. Examinations were performed preoperatively as well as 1 week and 3, 6, and 12 months after pIOL implantation. Results The mean preoperative sphere was −8.12 diopters (D) ± 2.01 (SD) (range −12.25 to −3.75 D) and the mean preoperative cylinder, −0.90 ± 0.62 D (range −2.50 to 0.00 D). The Z 3 1 and Z 3 −1 coefficients decreased after implantation of the foldable iris-claw pIOL, but the decrease was not statistically significant ( P = .078 and P = .45, respectively). There was a statistically significant reduction in Z 4 0 in the first postoperative week ( P = .038), but the decrease was not significant thereafter. There was a statistically significant reduction in total RMS wavefront error from preoperatively to all values postoperatively ( P = .008). Conclusion Over a 12-month follow-up, 3rd-order and 4th-order HOAs did not increase after foldable iris-claw pIOL implantation in myopic eyes.