A Comparison of Two Foldable Phakic Intraocular Lenses Implanted in Different Anatomical Compartments: Artiflex Versus Eyecryl

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the refractive results and safety of Artiflex (Ophtec BV, Groningen, Netherlands) and Eyecryl (BioTech Healthcare GmbH, Luzern, Switzerland) phakic intraocular lenses (pIOL).
METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent implantation of Artiflex or Eyecryl pIOL were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with a follow-up of 3 years were included in the study. Manifest refractive error, uncorrected and corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) and central endothelial cell density (ECD) data were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 and 3 years after surgery.
RESULTS: In all 79 eyes (Artiflex group: 35 eyes; Eyecryl group: 44 eyes) were included in the study. The preoperative spherical equivalent (SE) of manifest refractive error was -11.53±3.46 in the Artiflex group and -13.08±3.01 in the Eyecryl group. Three years after the operation, the efficacy index was 1.06±0.55 and 1.15±0.85 in the Artiflex and Eyecryl groups, respectively. The safety index was in 1.32±0.49 and 1.46±0.95 the Artiflex and Eyecryl groups, respectively. The SE refractive error, efficacy index, safety index UDVA, CDVA, IOP, and ECD were not significantly different between groups during follow-up.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Both the Artiflex and Eyecryl foldable pIOLs were found to be safe and effective up to 3 years after implantation. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to assess and compare the rate of cataract formation.