Reversible opacification of hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens- two cases report

The opacification of the intraocular lens (IOL) can cause significant visual deterioration. It is known that opacity of hydrophobic acrylic IOLs is rare. We report 2 cases of reversible optic opacification of hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (Tecnis ZCB00, Abbott), observed within 2 months after uneventful cataract surgery.

Case 1: Uneventful cataract surgery was performed on the left eye of an 86-year-old diabetic man with chronic open-angle glaucoma. A hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL; Tecnis ZCB00, Abbott, Lake Bluff, IL) was implanted in the bag. Eye drops containing 0.5% levofloxacin and 1.0% prednisolone were used after surgery along with topical anti-glaucoma medications. At 7 weeks postoperative, cloudy, concentric IOL opacification developed, accompanied by decreased visual acuity and increased intraocular pressure. However, the opacification completely disappeared after 9 weeks. Case 2: Uneventful cataract surgery was performed on the left eye of a 72-year-old woman. A hydrophobic acrylic IOL (Tecnis ZCB00) was implanted in the bag. At 2 weeks postoperative, cloudy, concentric IOL opacification developed, accompanied by ocular discomfort. After 4 weeks, opacification and discomfort completely disappeared.

We observed two cases of completely reversible opacification of hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. The exact nature of the transient opacity remains unclear, but an inflammatory origin cannot be completely ruled out.