of ultra - high myopia in phakic eyes . chamber lens implantation for the correction Retinal detachment following anterior

The development of retinal detachment is reported in three eyes, of two patients, following implantation of an anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC-IOL) in phakic eyes for the correction of ultra-high myopia. The presence ofan AC-IOL may hamper the identification of retinal breaks and removal of the intraocular lens may prove necessary to improve visualisation. Shallowing of the anterior chamber may also occur during, or following, vitreoretinal surgery with risk of endothelial contact. The risks and relative contraindications ofAC-IOL implantation into phakic eyes are discussed. (BrJ Ophthalmol 1993; 77: 212-213) Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Road, London A J E Foss PH Rosen R J Cooling Correspondence to: R J Cooling, Moorfields Eye Hospital, City Road, London EC1V 2PD. Accepted for publication 9 December 1992 A negatively powered anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC-IOL) implant positioned in front of the crystalline lens can be employed as a treatment for high myopia. Procedures for the correction of myopia including excimer laser photoablation' or radial keratotomy2 are not effective for the correction of ultra-high myopia for which clear lens extraction or AC-IOL implantation has been advocated.i4 The theoretical advantages of AC-IOL implantation are a more controlled final refraction and preservation of accommodation. Three eyes, of two patients, which developed retinal detachment following this procedure are