Light-scattering characteristics of explanted opacified Aquasense intraocular lenses

To study forward light-scattering characteristics of calcified explanted intraocular lenses (IOLs) (Aquasense, Ophthalmic Innovation International Ontario).

The amount of light scattered by the opacified IOLs was measured using a validated in vitro set-up for angles from 1.7 degrees to 22 degrees . This set-up gives results directly comparable with straylight values as valid for the in vivo situation.

Straylight is highest at large angles and declines steeply approaching 0 degrees angle. This corresponds to the in vivo findings that opacified IOLs cause important visual complaints but have little effect on visual acuity. At 7.5 degrees , log (s) is around 1.8 and 2.9 for the two lenses respectively. This corresponds to 8 x and 100 x increases in straylight values compared with values in young, normal eyes.

High straylight values caused by opacified IOLs can explain subjective complaints of reduced quality of vision in patients with opacified implants, despite good visual acuity.