Reversibility of the duet procedure: Bilateral exchange of a supplementary trifocal sulcus-fixated intraocular lens for correction of a postoperative refractive error

Abstract

Purpose

We present the case of a 49-year old female who underwent bilateral exchange of a supplementary trifocal sulcus-fixated intraocular lens (IOL) to correct a residual refractive error. Six months beforehand, she had been treated for hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia with a duet procedure to create reversible trifocality.

Observations

Refractive lens exchange with combined implantation of a monofocal toric IOL into the capsular bag and a trifocal supplementary IOL into the ciliary sulcus (duet procedure) had been performed in both eyes. Decreased uncorrected distance visual acuity due to the refractive outcome of −0.75 diopter sphere (DS)/-0.25 diopter cylinder (DC)x10° for the right eye and −1.0DS for the left eye as well as the perception of photic phenomena were inacceptable for the patient. In the second operations, we exchanged the supplementary IOLs to correct the residual refractive error and achieve the target refraction of emmetropia. UDVA increased from 0.50 logMAR in both eyes prior to the IOL exchange to −0.22 logMAR in the right eye and −0.20 logMAR in the left eye. Binocular uncorrected near and intermediate visual acuity were −0.10 logMAR and 0.00 logMAR respectively after exchanging the sulcus-fixated supplementary IOLs, allowing for complete spectacle independence.

Conclusions

This case demonstrates one of the most important benefits of the duet procedure: the possibility, if necessary, to easily remove or exchange the supplementary IOL from the ciliary sulcus. The duet procedure offers a safe treatment option in the event of postoperative complications like residual refractive error or intolerance to a multifocal optic.