Intraocular lens surfaces and their relationship to postoperative glare

To estimate the potential for surface reflections in recently introduced intraocular lenses (IOLs) and to determine optic surface designs that will reduce surface reflections.

Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Surface-reflected glare in the unaccommodated human crystalline lens and in 6 IOLs (Bausch & Lomb SoFlex LI61U, Pharmacia CeeOn 911A, Allergan Sensar AR40, Bausch & Lomb Hydroview H60M, Alcon AcrySof MA60BM, Alcon AcrySof SA30AL) was examined in a physiologic eye model using the ZEMAX optical design program. Internal and external surface reflections were described and compared in terms of IOL surface reflectivity (%), area of the reflected glare image (mm(2)), and relative intensity of the reflected glare image.

Compared to surface reflections from the unaccommodated human lens with a corneal power of 43.0 diopters, all the IOLs increased the relative intensity of internal and external reflections by 3- to 36-fold except the MA60BM and the SA30AL, which increased the relative intensity of internal and external reflections by 730- to 1090-fold.

All the IOLs studied variably increased internal and external surface reflections when compared to the human crystalline lens. Surface reflections were minimized in optic designs with an anterior radius of curvature of approximately 17.0 mm or less.