Vault changes after cyclopentolate instillation in eyes with posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens

Posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (pIOL) implantation is a common option for correcting moderate-to-high ocular refractive defects. Because this pIOL is implanted on ciliary sulcus, the distance between the back surface of the pIOL and the anterior surface of the crystalline lens, that it is known as vault, should be measured in different conditions to ensure the technique's safety. Cyclopentolate is a drug that dilates the pupil and relaxes accommodation (cycloplegia). It is often used for different ocular examinations and for other medical purposes. However, there is no evidence of the effect of this drug on vault. This study quantified central vault changes associated with cyclopentolate instillation. We measured the vault under normal conditions (pre-cycloplegic instillation) and after instilling cyclopentolate on 39 eyes of 39 patients with implanted pIOL. Our results suggest that cyclopentolate instillation may induce changes to vault in eyes with implanted pIOL. These changes seem safe and are mainly associated with vault under normal conditions, but also with anterior chamber depth, pupillary diameter and pIOL size.- European Fund for Regional Development (FEDER) through the COMPETE Program and the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) provided financial support in the framework of projects PTDC/SAU-BEB/098391/2008, PTDC/SAU-BEB/098392/2008 and the Strategic Project PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011