Quantitative comparison of posterior capsule opacification after polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, and soft acrylic intraocular lens implantation.
OBJECTIVE
To quantitatively compare the extent of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), silicone, and soft acrylic intraocular lens implantation.


METHODS
A total of 240 eyes from 240 patients undergoing implant surgery were randomized into 3 groups based on the type of lens implanted: PMMA, silicone, and soft acrylic. The density value of PCO in 185 eyes was quantitated approximately 2 years after surgery by a new measurement method using the Scheimpflug videophotography system.


RESULTS
Twenty-one eyes (30.4%) in the PMMA group, 4 (5.7%) in the silicone group, and 2 (2.7%) in the acrylic group had already undergone Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy. The mean +/- SD PCO values were 26.3 +/- 12.2 computer-compatible tape steps (CCT) in the PMMA group, 12.0 +/- 8.3 CCT in the silicone group, and 16.0 +/- 10.3 CCT in the acrylic group. The PCO value in the PMMA group was significantly greater than that in the silicone or acrylic group (P < .001). The visual acuity loss in the PMMA group was also greater than that in the silicone or acrylic group (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the PCO value and capsulotomy rate, the PCO was more extensive with the PMMA lens than with either the silicone or soft acrylic lens, which led to visual acuity loss.
Hayashi
H
H
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Japan. hhayashi@msat.fukuoka-uac.jp
Hayashi
K
K
Nakao
F
F
Hayashi
F
F
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019923:Capsulorhexis; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate