Influence on posterior capsule opacification and visual function of intraocular lens optic material.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the influence of optic material on posterior capsule opacification (PCO) by comparing PCO and visual functions between eyes with an acrylic intraocular lens (IOLs) and those with a silicone IOL of the same optic design and with the same haptics.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
One hundred patients scheduled for phacoemulsification surgery underwent implantation of an acrylic IOL (AMO Sensar; AR40e) in one eye and implantation of a silicone IOL (ClariFlex) of the same optic design and loops in the fellow eye. Eighty-nine patients (89%) remained for analysis. The PCO value was measured using the Scheimpflug videophotography system at one, three, six, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months postoperatively. The incidence of eyes that required a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy was examined; visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with and without a glare source were also evaluated.


RESULTS
The mean PCO value did not increase significantly during follow-up in either the acrylic or silicone IOL group. When comparing the groups, no statistically significant difference was found in the PCO or in the incidence of Nd:YAG capsulotomy, although both tended to be slightly better in the silicone group than in the acrylic group. There was also no significant difference between the groups in visual acuity or in photopic and mesopic contrast sensitivity with or without glare.


CONCLUSIONS
When acrylic and silicone IOLs are of the same optic design and with the same haptics, the optic material does not influence the development of PCO enough to impair visual function.
Hayashi
Ken
K
Hayashi Eye Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. hayashi-ken@hayashi.or.jp
Hayashi
Hideyuki
H
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*
D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate