Late opacification of hydroview intraocular lenses: report of 11 cases

To report on the clinical and light microscopic analyses of Hydroview intraocular lenses (lOLs) explanted for late postoperative IOL opacification.

Retrospective study of all cases with secondary lensimplantation performed at the University Hospital Leuven during a period of one year (2003-2004) for postoperative opacification of Hydroview IOLs. Further analyses on some of the explanted IOLs included gross and light microscopic evaluation.

Lens exchange for late-onset IOL opacification was performed in eleven eyes of eight patients. IOL opacification became apparent between 12 and 24 months after uneventful phacoemulsification and lens implantation. Visual acuity varied from < 0.05 to 0.6 before explantation. In 9 out of the 11 eyes postoperative visual acuity improved to the pre-opacification level. Light microscopic analyses showed a granular anterior lenssurface morphology composed of calcium.

Late postoperative opacification of Hydroview IOLs may cause severe visual impairment, requiring explantation. Calcium is involved in the formation of these opacifications. Reporting on this type of complications is mandatory according to the Belgian and European directives for medical devices.