Evaluation of 100 consecutive IOGEL 1003 foldable bag-style lenses implanted through a self-sealing tunnel incision

The IOGEL 1003 hydrogel lens, designed for better capsular bag fit, was implanted in 100 consecutive eyes. We evaluated the visual and morphological results obtained with a mean follow-up of six months. Visual acuity was within Food and Drug Administration standards; however, morphological results were less satisfactory. Decentration of 1 mm or more occurred in 24% of the cases. Higher diopter lenses required a minimum incision size of 4 mm and tended to tear when folded. Once in the eye, they regularly came in contact with the iris. A gap between the posterior optic surface and capsule occurred in 61% of eyes. Within the short follow-up period, 9% of eyes required YAG discission because of Elschnig pearl formation. In conclusion, the newer IOGEL 1003 lens performed no better than earlier IOGEL lens models when placed in the bag, and the possible benefit of decreasing posterior lens subluxation after early YAG capsulotomy is offset by the disadvantages.