Purpose: To assess phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation as an effective, safe, and predictable technique for the correction of high myopia.
Setting: University Eye Clinic of Verona, Verona, Italy.
Methods: A series of 25 eyes with myopia higher than -12.0 diopters (D) had clear lens extraction by phacoemulsification and IOL implantation in the capsular bag. The mean postoperative follow-up was 42.92 months +/- 3.76 (SD).
Results: No serious intraoperative complications occurred. Uncorrected visual acuity improved in all cases. The mean postoperative best corrected visual acuity improved by an average of 1 line. One case (4.0%) of postoperative retinal detachment (RD) occurred at 12 months. One case (4.0%) of biometric error (3.0 D) occurred.
Conclusion: Clear lens extraction by phacoemulsification and IOL implantation in a series of highly myopic eyes was effective and had an acceptable predictability and a low rate of complications. Careful evaluation of the retinal periphery by indirect ophthalmoscopy is recommended to avoid postoperative RD.