Side-view analysis of the lens. II. Positioning of intraocular lenses

E. I. Assia and D. J. Apple
Department of Ophthalmology, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425.

The uveoscleral window technique is useful for studying the position and fixation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs). Studies using this technique show that the configuration of an IOL in the capsular bag largely depends on three factors: size, shape, and relative rigidity of the IOL. The general configuration of the capsular bag is that of a flattened saucer created by radial expansion of the haptic. Zonules at the fixation site are relaxed, eliminating the possibility of accommodation with thin IOLs. Downsized IOLs (total diameter of 12.0 mm) provide stable fixation with less tension on the capsule than larger IOLs.