ASRS 2025: Outcomes in patients with noninfectious uveitis requiring secondary lens implantation

Sruthi Arepalli, MD, an assistant professor at Emory Eye Center in Atlanta, Georgia, presented a comprehensive study on secondary lens implants in patients with uveitis at the 2025 ASRS meeting.

The research was a retrospective review of charts focusing on non-infectious uveitis patients over 18 years old who received different types of lens implants, including anterior chamber lenses, Yamane lenses, and AcrySof lenses. The study revealed important insights into lens performance and patient outcomes.

Anterior chamber lenses showed a tendency toward anterior inflammation, which was particularly notable in patients with pre-existing inflammatory conditions. This inflammation led some patients to elect lens removal during the study period.

The longer history of anterior chamber lenses contributed to more extended follow-up data. Yamane lenses demonstrated generally good performance, with only 2 instances of lens tilt requiring surgical revision or explantation. The AcrySof lens emerged as the most promising option, showing the best results with no required explantations or removals. Arepalli emphasized that lens selection is highly individualized, depending on patient goals, anatomical considerations, and surgical expertise. She highlighted the unique challenges of treating uveitic patients, where additional surgery can potentially exacerbate existing inflammatory conditions. The research suggested that the AcrySof lens might be the preferred choice for uveitic patients moving forward.

Arepalli also noted the potential for future research, recommending expansion of the study to include more patients and compare additional lens types like enVista. Key recommendations included broadening the study's scope by involving multiple medical centers and conducting a more comprehensive comparison of secondary lens implants. The ultimate goal was to develop more precise, patient-specific approaches to lens implantation for individuals with uveitis.

The study provided valuable insights into lens performance, patient outcomes, and potential strategies for minimizing surgical interventions in a complex patient population, potentially guiding future clinical practices in ophthalmological care.