Commentary: Endothelial Cell Density After Iris-Fixated Phakic IOL
There are three main types of phakic intraocular lenses (pIOL): those secured in the anterior chamber angle, those secured to the iris, and those placed between the crystalline lens and the iris. The latter two types are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States. Of note, an angle-supported pIOL (Vivarte) was withdrawn from the French market by the French Health Products Safety Agency in 2006 due to excessive corneal endothelial cell loss.
pIOLs have advantages over corneal refractive surgery, including rapid visual recovery, minimal risk for corneal haze or ectasia, ability to treat high refractive errors, and less loss of contrast sensitivity. Among their disadvantages are corneal endothelial cell loss, cataract formation, glaucoma, iritis, pupil ovalization, and, of course, all of the other risks of intraocular surgery, including endophthalmitis.