Intraocular lens factors that may affect anterior capsule contraction

To examine the various factors comprising intraocular lenses (IOLs) that may affect the degree of anterior capsule contraction after cataract surgery.

Randomized controlled clinical trials.

Three hundred thirty-one patients scheduled for bilateral cataract surgery were studied to compare the degree of anterior capsule contraction in fellow eyes that received different IOLs with regard to the following factors: (1) optic material-acrylic optic versus silicone optic; (2) optic design-round-edge optic versus sharp-edge optic; (3) haptic material-polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) loop versus polyvinylidene fluoride loop; and (4) haptic material and design-single-piece acrylic haptic versus 3-piece PMMA haptic. The 2 IOLs implanted in the fellow eyes of each patient had almost the same material and design, except for the specific factor being compared.

All patients underwent phacoemulsification surgery with implantation of different IOLs in fellow eyes.

The area of the anterior capsule opening was measured using the Scheimpflug videophotography system at 3 days or 1 week (baseline) and at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. The percent reduction in the anterior capsule opening area from baseline was determined at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.

The mean percent reduction of the anterior capsule opening area was significantly greater in eyes with a silicone optic IOL than in eyes with an acrylic optic IOL. However, no significant difference was observed in the percent reduction between round-edge and sharp-edge optic IOLs, between PMMA and polyvinylidene fluoride loop IOLs, and between single-piece acrylic and 3-piece PMMA haptic IOLs. Strong associations were found in the percentage between round-edge and sharp-edge optic IOLs, between PMMA and polyvinylidene fluoride loop IOLs, and between single-piece acrylic and 3-piece PMMA haptic IOLs, whereas there was a relatively weak association between silicone and acrylic optic IOLs.

Among the IOL factors examined, optic material affects most significantly the degree of anterior capsule contraction, whereas optic design and haptic material and design are not strongly related to anterior capsule contraction.