[Phacoemulsification for visual refraction on the clear lens. Apropos of 33 severely myopic eyes].
PURPOSE: To evaluate visual benefit, predictability and complications after clear lens phakoemulsification and posterior chamber implantation in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: Thirty-three highly myopic eyes were reviewed at a mean postoperative follow-up of 27 months. The mean age of the 19 patients was 31.04 +/- 5.51 years. The mean preoperative spherical equivalent was -19.50 +/- 7.0 D (-12 to -40 D). Preoperative best spectacle corrected visual acuity was compared with the last postoperative one. Postoperative spherical equivalent was compared with the desired value. All complications were reviewed. RESULTS: A mean visual benefit of 0.24 +/- 0.18 (decimal notation) was noted (p < 0.05). The mean postoperative spherical equivalent (-2.57 +/- 1.84 D) was not significantly different from the mean previous value (p = 0.75). Retinal detachment arose in the two eyes of the same patient (incidence of 6.1%). BSCVA decreased slightly in only one of the two eyes (0.1). The incidence of Nd-YAG capsulotomy was 30%. CONCLUSION: Clear lens phakoemulsification is an effective and predictable method for the correction of high myopia. Retinal detachment is the major complication of this technique, even if a severe decrease of the visual acuity is not usual.