Hydrogel intraocular lens exchange: five-year experience.
BACKGROUND
This study presents an evaluation of the preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), as well as of the incidence of perioperative and postoperative complications after opacified hydrogel intraocular lens (IOL) exchange.


METHODS
We exchanged opacified hydrogel IOLs (Hydroview H 60 M, Bausch & Lomb) in 55 patients (55 eyes). Preoperative and postoperative BCVA were compared. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. Follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 24 months.


RESULTS
Mean BCVA improved significantly from 0.05 preoperatively to 0.4 at 3 months postoperatively and to 0.2 at the end of the follow-up period. Forty patients (72.7 %) reported visual improvement. The procedure was uneventful in 30 eyes (54.5 %) with complete removal of the opacified IOL optics and haptics. Intraoperative complications included partial zonular dehiscence in 10 eyes (18.2 %), en block capsular bag-IOL extraction in 2 eyes (3.6 %), posterior capsule rupture in 2 eyes (3.6 %), hyphema in 3 eyes (5.5 %), retained haptics in 8 eyes (14.5 %). Postoperative complications included corneal decompensation in 5 eyes (9.1 %), cystoid macular edema in 15 eyes (27.3 %), elevated intraocular pressure in 6 eyes (10.9 %), and retinal detachment in 1 eye (1.8 %).


CONCLUSIONS
Visual acuity improved after opacified hydrogel IOL exchange, however, coexistent ocular morbidity as well as the appearance of serious postoperative complications may not yield the expected results. For these reasons extensive informed consent is mandatory.
Theoulakis
P E
PE
University Eye Clinic, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Brinkmann
C K
CK
Petropoulos
I K
IK
Gatzogias
M I
MI
Katsimpris
J M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020100:Hydrogels; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*
D020100:Hydrogels