[Observation on the efficacy of cataract surgery combined with ICL implantation in the contralateral eye for patients with high myopia complicated with monocular cataract].

Abstract

Objective: To assess the surgical outcomes of cataract surgery combined with phakic posterior chamber intraocular lens (ICL) implantation in the contralateral eye for patients with high myopia and monocular cataract. Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. Clinical data were collected from 10 patients (20 eyes) with high myopia and monocular cataract who underwent phacoemulsification cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation in the cataract eye (cataract surgery eye), and implantable Collamer lens (ICL) implantation in the contralateral eye (ICL implantation eye) at the Ophthalmology Department of the Army Characteristic Medical Center from June 2021 to December 2023. Among them, there were 4 males and 6 females, with an average age of (35.60±7.62) years. Uncorrected visual acuity was measured using the international standard visual acuity chart, and spherical equivalent (SE) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were obtained through comprehensive optometry. Visual acuity was recorded in the form of logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR). Objective visual quality parameters were obtained using a visual quality analysis system, and subjective visual quality was obtained through questionnaire surveys. Postoperative accommodative function and defocus curve were also examined. Various indicators before and 5 months after surgery were compared between the two eyes. Results: The BCVA in the cataract surgery eye significantly improved postoperatively (P<0.05), while no significant change was observed in the ICL implantation eye (P>0.05). Postoperative UCVA for the cataract surgery eye was 0.12±0.12 for distance, 0.18±0.18 for intermediate, and 0.28±0.20 for near vision. For the ICL implantation eye, these values were 0.10±0.11, 0.00 (0.00, 0.03), and 0.01 (0.00, 0.06), respectively. Objective scatter indices postoperatively were 2.20±1.82 for the cataract surgery eye and 0.90 (0.48, 1.90) for the ICL implantation eye. All patients became spectacle-independent postoperatively, with 6 experiencing halo phenomena that did not affect their daily life. The average patient satisfaction score was 9.5. The ICL implantation eye showed better accommodative amplitude and facility than the cataract surgery eye, with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05). The defocus curve indicated good binocular visual acuity, and no severe intraoperative or postoperative complications were reported. Conclusions: For patients with high myopia and monocular cataract, the combination of cataract surgery and ICL implantation in the contralateral eye effectively enhances postoperative visual acuity and quality, preserves natural accommodation, establishes binocular vision balance, and facilitates spectacle independence. The procedure is safe, reliable, and improves the quality of life and work.