Comparative evaluation of plate haptic lenses with smaller and larger positioning holes

To evaluate the visual outcome, intraoperative problems and postoperative complications of plate haptic intraocular lenses with smaller foot plate positioning holes and larger holes.

Fifty eyes of 50 patients underwent clear corneal phacoemulsification with implantation of either small hole plate haptics (25 eyes) or large hole plate haptic lenses (25 eyes). The intraoperative complications were noted and the postoperative parameters were evaluated on the first day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. These included the best corrected visual acuities, intraocular lens (IOL) decentring, diameter of anterior capsulorhexis and posterior capsule opacification.

The mean duration of follow-up was 14.8+/-2.1 months in the group with the small foot plate positioning holes (Chiron C10UB) lens and 15.6+/-3.2 months in the group with the large feet plate positioning holes (Chiron C11UB) lens. The was no significant difference in the visual acuities of the two groups. The mean IOL decentring was 0.42+/-0.28 mm in the C10UB lenses and 0.24+/-0.10 mm in the C11UB lenses (P = 0.05). The mean diameter of the anterior capsulorhexis was 4.68+/-0.23 mm in the former, while it was 4.21+/-0.68 mm in the latter (P = 0.0027). The posterior capsule opacification was significantly increased in the C11UB group (P = 0.0298). Neodymium : yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd: YAG) laser capsulotomy was required in 8% of the C10UB group, compared to 28% in the C11UB group.

Results are similar with the two types of plate haptic lenses. The lenses with larger holes have a significantly higher posterior capsule opacification and more anterior capsulorhexis contracture, although the IOL decentring is less with these lenses.