Posterior capsule opacification and neodymium: YAG capsulotomy with heparin-surface-modified intraocular lenses.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of heparin-surface-modified (HSM) and conventional unmodified poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) on the formation of posterior capsule opacification (PCO).


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Vejle Hospital, Denmark.


METHODS
This prospective, randomized, double-blind study comprised 250 eyes of 246 patients who had uneventful extracapsular cataract extraction in otherwise healthy eyes with implantation of a biconvex IOL or a convex-plano lens with a continuous laser ridge. Patients were examined once a year for 3 years, at which time the degree of PCO was recorded. A neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy was performed if certain criteria were met.


RESULTS
The incidence of PCO was statistically significantly higher in eyes with an HSM convex-plano laser-ridge IOL than in those with an unmodified convex-plano lens (P < .005). There were no significant differences between any other groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of PCO was higher in eyes with an HSM convex-plano IOL with a laser ridge.
Department of Ophthalmology, Vejle Hospital, Denmark.
A
A
Winther-Nielson
J
J
Johansen
G K
GK
Pedersen
L
L
Corydon
D000368:Aged; D019923:Capsulorhexis; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011446:Prospective Studies
D006493:Heparin; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate