A Multicenter Study on Clinical Outcomes of Simultaneous Implantable Collamer Lens Removal and Phacoemulsification with Intraocular Lens Implantation in Eyes Developing Cataract

Introduction: This study evaluated the clinical outcomes of simultaneous implantable collamer lens (ICL) removal and phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in a multicenter study.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated 83 eyes of 72 patients requiring ICL extraction and cataract surgery at five institutions. Preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, we determined visual acuity (logMAR), spherical equivalent refraction, and endothelial cell density (ECD), in addition to the preoperative backgrounds and the postoperative complications.

Results: The patients' age at the time of cataract surgery was 49.8 ± 6.8 years, and the axial length was 28.49 ± 1.97 mm. The most prevalent type of cataract was anterior subcapsular cataract, followed by nuclear and cortical cataract. Uncorrected and corrected visual acuities significantly improved to 0.09 ± 0.30 and - 0.12 ± 0.12 logMAR, respectively (p < 0.001). Sixty-three (76%) and 78 (94%) eyes were within ± 0.5 D and 1.0 D, respectively, of the targeted correction. The mean percentage of ECD loss was 1.3 ± 11.3%. No vision-threatening complications were observed in any case.

Conclusions: Our multicenter study showed that simultaneous ICL removal and phacoemulsification with IOL implantation is a safe, effective, and predictable procedure, with no significant complications, making it a feasible option for ICL-implanted eyes developing cataracts.