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, wa s implanted in 100 consecutive eyes. We evaluated the visual and morph ological results obtained with a mean follow-up of six months. Visual acuity was within Food and Drug Administration standards; however, mor phological results were less satisfactory. Decentration of 1 mm or mor e occurred in 24% of the cases. Higher diopter lenses required a minim um incision size of 4 mm and tended to tear when folded. Once in the e ye, they regularly came in contact with the iris. A gap between the po sterior 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 per formed no better than earlier IOGEL lens models when placed in the bag , and the possible benefit of decreasing posterior lens subluxation af ter early YAG capsulotomy is offset by the disadvantages.