Long-term effect of surface light scattering and glistenings of intraocular lenses on visual function.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-term effect of surface light scattering and glistenings of various intraocular lenses (IOLs) on visual function and optical aberrations after cataract surgery.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Thirty-five eyes that underwent implantation of a hydrophobic acrylic, silicone, or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) IOL more than 10 years ago were recruited. The scattering light intensity of the surface and internal matrix of the optic was measured using Scheimpflug photography. Visual acuity (VA) was measured using VA charts, and contrast VA and that with glare (glare VA) were examined using a contrast sensitivity tester. Ocular higher-order aberrations (HOAs) were measured using a Hartmann-Shack aberrometer.


RESULTS
Mean scattering light intensity of the surface and internal matrix of the optic was significantly higher in the acrylic group than in the silicone and PMMA groups (P < .0001). Mean uncorrected VA, photopic and mesopic contrast VA and glare VA, and HOAs did not differ significantly among groups, although mean corrected VA in the acrylic group was significantly better than that in the other groups (P = .0023). Scattering light intensity of the surface and internal matrix did not correlate with VA, contrast VA, or glare VA, and did not correlate with ocular and internal optic HOAs in the acrylic group.


CONCLUSIONS
At more than 10 years postoperatively, visual function, including contrast sensitivity, and ocular HOAs were comparable among eyes that received acrylic, silicone, and PMMA IOLs. Surface scattering and glistenings with the acrylic IOLs were not significantly correlated with visual function and optical aberrations.
Hayashi Eye Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. hayashi-ken@hayashi.or.jp
Ken
K
Hayashi
Akira
A
Hirata
Motoaki
M
Yoshida
Koichi
K
Yoshimura
Hideyuki
H
Hayashi
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019466:Glare; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D010781:Photography; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013499:Surface Properties; D014617:Vacuoles; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate