Posterior capsule opacification in the presence of an intraocular lens with a sharp versus rounded optic edge

Ophthalmology. 2005 Sep;112(9):1550-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2005.03.024.

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and visual function in eyes implanted with an acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with a sharp posterior optic edge with that in eyes implanted with an IOL with a rounded optic edge.

Design: Randomized clinical trial.

Participants: Seventy-five consecutive patients scheduled for bilateral phacoemulsification were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 groups. One group received an acrylic IOL with a sharp edge (Sensar AR40e, AMO, Santa Ana, CA) in the left eye and an acrylic IOL of the same optic material and loops but with a rounded-edge optic (Sensar AR40) in the right eye. The other group received the sharp-edged IOL in the right eye and the rounded-edge IOL in the left eye. Sixty-nine patients (92%) completed follow-up.

Intervention: All patients underwent implantation of a sharp-edged IOL in 1 eye and a rounded-edge IOL in the fellow eye.

Main outcome measures: The PCO value of these patients was measured using the Scheimpflug videophotography system at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after surgery. The incidence of eyes that required a neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy was examined. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with and without a glare source also were evaluated.

Results: The mean PCO value in the sharp-edge IOL group was significantly less than that in the rounded-edge IOL group throughout the follow-up period. The incidence of Nd:YAG capsulotomy also was significantly less in the sharp-edge group than in the rounded-edge group (P = 0.0095). No significant difference was found in mean visual acuity during the 24 months of follow-up. However, contrast visual acuity with and without glare was significantly better in the sharp-edge group than in the rounded-edge group at 24 months after surgery.

Conclusions: The degree of posterior capsule opacification in eyes with an acrylic IOL with a sharp posterior optic edge is significantly less than that in eyes with a rounded-edge IOL, and the sharp-edge optic led to better contrast sensitivity with and without glare.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acrylic Resins
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cataract / etiology*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Glare
  • Humans
  • Laser Therapy
  • Lens Capsule, Crystalline / pathology*
  • Lens Capsule, Crystalline / surgery
  • Lens Implantation, Intraocular
  • Lenses, Intraocular*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phacoemulsification
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Prosthesis Design*
  • Visual Acuity / physiology

Substances

  • Acrylic Resins