OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy, safety and stability of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (PIOLs) implantation for the correction of high myopia.

METHODSThirty-nine eyes of twenty patients with high myopia (between -11.75 and -25.75 diopters) had a posterior chamber PIOL (Staar ICL) implanted. During 6 - 48 months' follow-up, visual acuity, refraction, intraocular pressure (IOP), corneal reaction and space between crystal lens and intraocular lens (IOLs) were tested.

RESULTSSuccessful implantation was achieved in all patients. Visual acuity without correction greater than 0.5 was found in 34 eyes at 1 day and 3 months postoperatively. Thirty-five eyes maintained a low negative power of refraction (-1.42 +/- 1.32 doipters), which did not prevent the patients from most of their daily activities. During 3 - 48 months' follow-up, refraction was stable and no cornea edema and glaucoma was found. Two eyes of one patient had corticosteroid glaucoma and another eye showed cataractogenesis under anterior capsular membrane.

CONCLUSIONPosterior chamber PIOL implantation is predictable, safe, and effective in the correction of high myopia, and its indications should be carefully selected.