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

Purpose: To study the effects of foldable acrylic and poly(methyl methacryl ate) (PMMA) intraocular lens (IOL) implantation on posterior capsule opacif ication (PCO). Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medi cine, Izmir, Turkey. Methods: This consecutive series comprised 157 eyes having phacoemulsificat ion with implantation of a foldable acrylic IOL with rectangular optic edge s and a 5.5 mm optic (AcrySof(R)) (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 fo ldable acrylic IOL group and in 24.7% of eyes in the PMMA IOL group. The di fference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P < .01). Cent rally located PCO was significantly lower in the acrylic group (P < .01). T here 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 fo rmation 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. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000;26: 722-726 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.