title: Influence of intraocular lens material on regeneratory posterior capsule opacification after neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the influence of a neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy on the morphology and development of regeneratory opacification of the remaining surrounding posterior capsule.
  
  
  METHODS
  Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standardized digital retroillumination photographs were taken immediately before and after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy and at 1 week, 6 months, and 1 to 3 years in 38 eyes of consecutive patients. Changes in regeneratory posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and opacification around the capsulotomy opening were evaluated. The influence of the type of intraocular lens (IOL) material and design (acrylic, n = 8; hydrogel, n = 8; silicone open loop, n = 11; silicone plate haptic, n = 6; poly(methyl methacrylate) [PMMA], n = 5) was assessed. The state of the anterior vitreous surface was examined at the slitlamp in all eyes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 8 of 17 eyes with a silicone IOL, reduced regeneratory PCO was observed. Massive pearl formation on the margin of the Nd:YAG capsulotomy was typical with silicone IOLs (8 eyes) but also occurred with PMMA IOLs. Eyes with acrylic IOLs had no change in regeneratory PCO after the capsulotomy. Three of 8 eyes with hydrogel IOLs had complete closure of the posterior capsulotomy opening.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy induced changes in the development and morphology of regeneratory PCO. Silicone and PMMA IOLs led to significant pearl formation on the capsulotomy margin, often combined with a reduction of peripheral regeneratory PCO (silicone). Hydrogel IOLs led to a higher incidence of reclosure of the Nd:YAG capsulotomy opening.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. michael.georgopoulos@akh-wien.ac.at
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Georgopoulos
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Findl
authors.forename: Rupert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Menapace
authors.forename: Wolf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Buehl
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wirtitsch
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rainer
mesh_terms: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012038:Regeneration; D012826:Silicone Elastomers
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate