Posterior capsule opacification: comparison of 3 intraocular lenses of different materials and design

To compare posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery with implantation of 3 intraocular lenses (IOLs) of different materials and design.

St. Erik's Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

In this prospective clinical study, 180 patients had standardized phacoemulsification performed by a single surgeon and were randomized to have implantation of a heparin-surface-modified (HSM) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOL (809C, Pharmacia & Upjohn), a silicone IOL (SI-40NB, Allergan), or an acrylic IOL (AcrySof MA60BM, Alcon). To morphologically evaluate PCO, retroillumination photographs were obtained and analyzed using Evaluation of Posterior Capsule Opacification computer software. The neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy rate was recorded.

After 2 years, the HSM PMMA IOL group had significantly more PCO than the silicone and AcrySof IOL groups; the silicone group had significantly more PCO than the AcrySof group (P<.05). The Nd:YAG capsulotomy rate was 20% in the HSM PMMA group, 22% in the silicone group, and 8% in the AcrySof group.

Patients with an AcrySof IOL developed significantly less PCO than those with a silicone or HSM PMMA IOL with a round-edged design.