Clear Lens Phacoemulsification in Patients With Alport Syndrome: Electron Microscopic Analysis of Anterior Lens Capsule
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
The goal of this study was to report the ocular findings of patients with Alport syndrome and the results of clear lens extraction in this patient group. Prospective clinical study; Setting: Baskent University Hospital. Twenty-six eyes of 18 patients with a diagnosis of Alport syndrome were included in this study.
Methods
Clear corneal phacoemulsificationand intraocular foldable lens implantation was performed in eyes with indeterminate refractive errorsand/or poor visual acuityand anterior capsule samples were analyzed with electron microscopy. Main Outcome Measures: Best corrected visual acuity, lenticular astigmatism.
Results
All patients had a history of hereditary nephritis and/or deafness as systemic involvement. Ophthalmologic examination revealed anterior lenticonus with high myopia and/or irregular astigmatism in all patients. Retinal flecks were detected in 10 patients. The mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.70±0.16 LogMAR (range; 1.0- 0.4) preoperatively, and 0.18±0.12 LogMAR (range; 0.3-0.0) postoperatively. Postoperative refractive lenticular astigmatism dramatically decreased and noocular complications arose during the follow-up period. Transmission electron microscopic analysis of the lens capsules supported the diagnosis of Alport syndrome.
Conclusion
Clear lens phacoemulsification and foldable intraocular lens implantation are a safe and effective therapeutic choice for the management of uncorrectable refractive errors and low visual acuity due to anterior lenticonus in patients with Alport syndrome.