The Impact Of Surgeon Experience On The Outcomes Of Implantable Collamer Lens Implantation

To evaluate the impact of surgeon experience on the clinical and visual outcomes of 50 consecutive patients (100 eyes) following EVO Visian Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) implantation to correct myopic and astigmatic refractive error (July 2021-January 2022).

Private centre in Toronto, Canada.

Retrospective, consecutive, study of patients who underwent ICL implantation by either an experienced (SH) or novice surgeon (MM) to correct myopic and astigmatic refractive error. Clinical outcomes were measured at postoperative visits as per standard of care at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month. Key outcomes assessed included uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA), manifest refraction, endothelial cell density (ECD), anterior chamber vault and complication rates.

A total of 100 eyes were included in the study with 50 eyes in each group. The mean follow-up duration of the experienced surgeon and novice surgeon was 7.4 ± 5.6 and 3.9 ± 3.8 weeks, respectively. Baseline characteristics including age (P=0.13), spherical equivalent (P=0.25), and ECD (P=0.66) were similar across the groups. There was no difference in the mean absolute error (MAE) in the experienced surgeon group (mean = 0.21 ± 0.20 D) and the novice surgeon group (mean = 0.27 ± 0.19 D, P = 0.11). Postoperative outcomes including UCVA (P=0.33), BCVA (P=0.054), spherical equivalent (P=0.40), ECD (P=0.15), and central vault (P=0.22) were also similar. No complications were recorded in either group. 

The EVO Visian ICL is an effective treatment for high myopia with excellent refractive, visual and safety outcomes in the hands of both experienced and novice surgeons.