Scanning electron microscopy of removed intraocular lenses

During a six-year period, 27 intraocular lenses (2%) were removed from a population of 1,794 implanted eyes. The frequency of and reasons for removal of the lenses, as well as patient information, dates of insertion and removal, types of surgery, and lens manufacturers, were recorded. Twelve of 15 lenses obtained for study were examined by scanning electron microscopy. These revealed poor finish quality, molding defects, and loop degradation. In the first four years the incidence of lens removal was approximately 3.8%. During the following three years, there was a dramatic reduction in the number of lenses removed, suggesting that increased experience and better lens design led to fewer lens removals.