Posterior capsule opacification after phacoemulsification: foldable acrylic versus poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: To study the effects of foldable acrylic and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lens (IOL) implantation on posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

SETTING: Department of Ophthalmology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.

METHODS: This consecutive series comprised 157 eyes having phacoemulsification with implantation of a foldable acrylic IOL with rectangular optic edges and a 5.5 mm optic (AcrySof) (n = 80 eyes) or a PMMA IOL with rounded optic edges and 5.5 mm optic (n = 77). Evaluated were incidence, location, and degree of PCO. Mean postoperative follow-up was 17.8 months +/- 1.7 (SD) (range 16 to 22 months).

RESULTS: Posterior capsule opacification occurred in 8.7% of eyes in the foldable acrylic IOL group and in 24.7% of eyes in the PMMA IOL group. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P < .01). Centrally located PCO was significantly lower in the acrylic group (P < .01). There were 3 eyes with severe PCO in the PMMA group and none in the acrylic group. Anterior capsule contraction and fibrosis were present in 4 eyes in the PMMA group but none in the acrylic group. Soemmering's ring cataract formation was detected in 3 eyes, all with the AcrySof IOL.

CONCLUSION: In addition to its optic material and rectangular optic edges, the AcrySof IOL provides additional advantages in lowering the incidence of PCO compared with rounded-edge PMMA IOLs.