Relationship between intraocular lens biomaterials and posterior capsule opacification.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is influenced by intraocular lens (IOL) material.


METHODS
A British teaching hospital eye department.


METHODS
Ninety eyes were prospectively randomized to receive a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), silicone, or AcrySof IOL. All lenses had 6.0 mm optics and PMMA haptics. A standardized surgical protocol was performed by a single surgeon using an extracapsular technique with capsulorhexis. Patients having surgical complications were excluded and all patients had standardized medication and follow-up. Posterior capsule opacification was assessed by a digital retroillumination camera using a dedicated software program based on the analysis of texture in the image and calculated as the percentage area of opacified capsule. Data were analyzed 2 years postoperatively.


RESULTS
There was a significant difference in percentage of PCO at 2 years among the three lens types (P < .0001). The AcrySof lenses were associated with less PCO (median 11.75%) than PMMA (43.65%) and silicone (33.50%) lenses (P < .001 and P = .025, respectively). The difference between PMMA and silicone lenses was not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraocular lenses made from AcrySof were associated with a significantly reduced degree of PCO.
Ursell
P G
PG
Department of Ophthalmology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Spalton
D J
DJ
Pande
M V
MV
Hollick
E J
EJ
Barman
S
S
Boyce
J
J
Tilling
K
K
D000179:Acrylates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019923:Capsulorhexis; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000179:Acrylates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate