Scleral-fixated intraocular lens in children: a meta-analysis and systematic review

Purpose To compare the outcomes of scleral-fixated intraocular lenses (SFIOLs) in the paediatric population. We included sutureless scleral-fixated intraocular lenses (SLSFIOLs), glued scleral-fixated intraocular lenses (GSFIOLs) and sutured scleral-fixated intraocular lenses (SSFIOLs) using polypropylene and Gore-Tex sutures. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. An electronic search was performed to include studies from 1999 to 2023. We included 1–18-year-old studies. The analysis was based on fixed and random-effect models. Primary outcomes included visual acuity, refraction and intraocular pressure (IOP). Secondary outcomes were lens tilt and extrusion of suture material. Results 33 studies (1531 eyes) were included (GSFIOLs n=75, SLSFIOLs n=162, SSFIOLs n=1294 (Gore-Tex n=30 and polypropylene n=1264)). Vision improved from preoperative (mean 0.75±0.50 SD) to postoperative (mean 0.39±0.19 SD) logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution. The mean spherical equivalent was 0.59±0.91. Transient high IOP post-OP was highest among polypropylene SSFIOLs, 8.1%. Polypropylene SSFIOLs had glaucoma in 0.31% and corneal decompensation in 0.15%. A suture break or erosion was reported in 1.19%. None of the other groups developed glaucoma or corneal decompensation. Suture erosion was not reported in Gore-Tex SSFIOLs. GSFIOLs had a 5.3% reoperation rate, mostly for IOL repositioning. Conclusion All types of scleral lens fixation showed improvement in initial outcomes. SLSFIOLs and Gore-Tex SSFIOLs have low complication rates.