Effect of optic size on posterior capsule opacification: 5.5 mm versus 6.0mm AcrySof intraocular lenses

Purpose: To determine the effect of intraocular lens (IOL) optic diameter o n posterior capsule opacification (PCO) using digital retroillumination ima ges. Setting: Eye Department, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Methods: In this prospective study, 60 patients with senile cataract had ro utine phacoemulsification by a single surgeon and received standardized med ication. The patients were divided into 2 equal groups. The first group rec eived a 5.5 mm 3-piece AcrySof IOL (MA30BM, Alcon) inserted in the bag. The second group received a 6.0 mm 3-piece AcrySof IOL (MA60BM, Alcon). Retroi llumination images were obtained 1, 30, 90, 180, and 360 days postoperative ly. The percentage area of PCO was calculated objectively by dedicated soft ware at 90, 180, and 360 days. At 1 day, the degree of capsulorhexis-IOL co ntact was determined by inspecting the images. Results: Throughout the follow-up, there was less PCO in the 6.0 mm optic g roup than in the 5.5 mm optic group, and the difference reached significanc e 1 year postoperatively (P = .0017). At 1 year, the median percentage of P CO was 1.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-5.3) in the 6.0 mm group and 6.9% (95% CI 5.8-18.0) in the 5.5 mm group. Conclusions: A larger IOL optic diameter was associated with less PCO. J Ca taract Refract Surg 2001; 27:1194-1198 (C) 2001 ASCPS and ESCRS.