Posterior capsule opacification after implantation of a hydrogel intraocular lens.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in eyes with a hydrophilic hydrogel intraocular lens (IOL) with that in eyes with a hydrophobic acrylic IOL.


METHODS
Ninety five patients underwent a hydrogel IOL implantation in one eye and an acrylic IOL implantation in the opposite eye. The PCO value of these patients was measured using the Scheimpflug videophotography system at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. The rate of neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy and visual acuity were also evaluated.


RESULTS
The mean PCO value in the hydrogel group increased significantly (p<0.0001), while that in the acrylic group did not show significant change. The PCO value in the hydrogel group was significantly greater than that in the acrylic group throughout the follow up period. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis determined that the Nd:YAG capsulotomy rate in the hydrogel group was significantly higher than that in the acrylic group (p<0.0001). Mean visual acuity in the hydrogel group decreased significantly with time (p<0.0001), and became significantly worse than that in the acrylic group at 18 and 24 months postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Posterior capsule opacification in eyes with a hydrophilic hydrogel IOL is significantly more extensive than that in eyes with a hydrophobic acrylic IOL, and results in a significant impairment of visual acuity.
Hayashi
K
K
Hayashi Eye Hospital, 4-7-13 Hakataekimae, Hakata-Ku, Fukuoka 812, Japan. hayashi-ken@hayashi.or.jp
Hayashi
H
H
D000179:Acrylates / Q000009:adverse effects; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012008:Recurrence; D016019:Survival Analysis; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000179:Acrylates; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate