Computerized analysis of the effects of intraocular lens edge design on the quality of vision in pseudophakic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To study the distribution and intensity of reflected glare images from 3 intraocular lens (IOL) edge designs.


METHODS
Eye Institute, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.


METHODS
The interaction of light rays as a function of edge design was evaluated using an experimental eye model and an advanced ray-tracing program. Three hydrophobic acrylic IOLs were studied: an acrylic square-edged (sharp) design, an acrylic round-edged design, and a new acrylic IOL with a rounded anterior edge and a sharp posterior edge.


RESULTS
The rays hitting the sharp edge of an IOL caused peripheral arcs or circles of light on the side of the retina opposite the focused image. Edge reflections also occurred with the round-edged IOL, but the intensity of the reflected image was one tenth that of the intensity with the sharp-edged design. The new round-/sharp-edged design reduced the maximum intensity of the reflected image to one third the intensity of the sharp-edged reflected image.


CONCLUSIONS
The experimental findings with an acrylic IOL that combines a sharp posterior edge with a low incidence of reflected edge glare are promising.
Franchini
Alessandro
A
Universitá degli Studi di Firenze, Istituto di Clinica Oculistica, Firenze, Italy. alessandrofranchini@yahoo.it
Gallarati
Barbara Zamma
BZ
Vaccari
Eleonora
E
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D003198:Computer Simulation; D019466:Glare; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*
D000180:Acrylic Resins