Purpose: Scleral fixation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL) is a popular technique for lens implantation when capsular stability is inadequate. Noted to be less traumatic than anterior chamber and iris fixated lenses to other ocular structures. Gore-Tex is widely regarded as a safe suture material with greater longevity than traditional materials. Complications related to the intraocular use of Gore-Tex sutures is not well reported. We endeavor to highlight the potential complications associated with Gore-Tex sutures.

Methods: Complications were identified from medical records of patients who underwent ab externo scleral fixation of a PCIOL, with scleral flaps and suture knot rotation, using Gore-Tex sutures from January 2018 to December 2021 at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital and Princess Alexandra Hospital (Brisbane's two major tertiary hospitals). This is a case series of six patients, managed by different ophthalmologists, who had postoperative Gore-Tex suture related complications.

Results: A total of 76 eyes from 69 patients underwent scleral fixation of PCIOL using Gore-Tex sutures. Six developed suture complications. Postoperatively, all patient's visual acuity improved. Four patients developed suture exposure with three requiring patching and one requiring suture revision. Two developed suture track leaks with one requiring resuturing and the other requiring a lens exchange. Mean time to complication was 338 ± 318.4 days.

Conclusion: Despite suture knot rotation and scleral flaps, postoperative suture erosion occurred in approximately 5% of eyes. Furthermore, approximately 2.5% of eyes developed suture track leak. Notably, there were no cases with broken Gore-Tex sutures.