Effectivity of laser ridge intraocular lenses

Two hundred fifty intraocular lenses with varying sizes of laser ridges were implanted following extracapsular cataract surgery to determine the effectivity of the laser ridge in creating a space between the intraocular lens and the posterior capsule. Six weeks post-operatively, the distance between the intraocular lens and the posterior capsule was judged as adequate in 92% of cases with a .35 mm ridge, 88% cases with a .25 mm ridge, and 80% of those with a .15 mm ridge. A group of non-angulated, non-ridged lenses placed out of the capsular bag had an adequate space in 82% of cases, and a group of non-angulated, non-ridged lenses placed in the capsular bag had only 44% adequate spaces. Intraocular lenses with laser ridges should be used to enhance the space between the intraocular lens and the posterior capsule, thus increasing the safety of postoperative Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.