Posterior capsule opacification 3 years after implantation of an AcrySof and a MemoryLens in fellow eyes

Purpose: To compare the rates of lens epithelial cell (LEC) migration and p osterior capsule opacification (PCO) 1 and 3 years after sutureless small i ncision phacoemulsification and in-the-bag implantation of 2 acrylic polyme r intraocular lenses (IOLs)-the AcrySof(R) and MemoryLens(R)-in fellow eyes of patients. Setting: Eye Clinic, Beyoglu Education and Research Hospital, istanbul, Tur key. Methods: Fifty patients with no systemic or ocular problems that would inte rfere with postoperative visual acuity were included in this prospective st udy. Each patient had in-the-bag implantation of an Acri/Sof(R) IOL in 1 ey e and a MemoryLens(R) in the fellow eye in a randomized fashion after uneve ntful phacoemulsification through a sutureless clear corneal incision. Results: At 1 year (n = 32 patients), there was no significant difference b etween fellow eyes in postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and contrast sensitivity. In the MemoryLens group, 10 eyes (31.3%) had PCO and 9 (28.1%), LEC migration. In the AcrySof group, no eye had PCO and 2 eyes (6.3%) had LEC migration (P < .001). At 3 years (n = 21 patients), 1 eye (4 .7%) in the AcrySof group had PCO and 3 eyes (14.4%) had IEC migration with out PCO. In the MemoryLens group, 1 eye (4.7%) had a clear posterior capsul e, 11 eyes (52.4%) had LEC migration, and 9 eyes (42.9%) had PCO (P < .001) . A neodymium:YAG capsulotomy was required in 4 eyes (19.0%) in the MemoryL ens group but no eye in the AcrySof group. At 3 years, BCVA was lower in th e Memorylens group than in the AcrySof group (P < .05). Conclusion: The 3 year clinical data of fellow eyes indicate that the AcryS of IOL causes less PCO than the MemoryLens. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 2 6:1176-1182 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.