Posterior capsule opacification in the presence of an intraocular lens with a sharp versus rounded optic edge

To compare the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and visual function in eyes implanted with an acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with a sharp posterior optic edge with that in eyes implanted with an IOL with a rounded optic edge.

Randomized clinical trial.

Seventy-five consecutive patients scheduled for bilateral phacoemulsification were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups. One group received an acrylic IOL with a sharp edge (Sensar AR40e, AMO, Santa Ana, CA) in the left eye and an acrylic IOL of the same optic material and loops but with a rounded-edge optic (Sensar AR40) in the right eye. The other group received the sharp-edged IOL in the right eye and the rounded-edge IOL in the left eye. Sixty-nine patients (92%) completed follow-up.

All patients underwent implantation of a sharp-edged IOL in 1 eye and a rounded-edge IOL in the fellow eye.

The PCO value of these patients was measured using the Scheimpflug videophotography system at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery. The incidence of eyes that required a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy was examined. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with and without a glare source also were evaluated.

The mean PCO value in the sharp-edge IOL group was significantly less than that in the rounded-edge IOL group throughout the follow-up period. The incidence of Nd:YAG capsulotomy also was significantly less in the sharp-edge group than in the rounded-edge group (P = 0.0095). No significant difference was found in mean visual acuity during the 24 months of follow-up. However, contrast visual acuity with and without glare was significantly better in the sharp-edge group than in the rounded-edge group at 24 months after surgery.

The degree of posterior capsule opacification in eyes with an acrylic IOL with a sharp posterior optic edge is significantly less than that in eyes with a rounded-edge IOL, and the sharp-edge optic led to better contrast sensitivity with and without glare.