Time interval for the development of posterior capsular opacification in different intraocular lenses in Asian eyes

Aim: To evaluate the time interval to the development of visually significant posterior capsular opacification associated with different intraocular lenses and to assess the impact on visual acuity. Methods: 150 eyes of 127 patients with cataract who had undergone Nd:YAG laser capsulotomies from January to October 2007 were evaluated. All eyes had undergone standardised phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in the capsular bag. Intraocular lenses implanted included acrylic with a sharp edge, silicone with a sharp edge, and silicone with a round edge. Postoperatively, posterior capsular opacification was assessed by slit-lamp examination using retroillumination. The time interval for development of visually significant posterior capsular opacification and need for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was noted. Results: There were 70 women and 57 men. For acrylic intraocular lenses with sharp edge, the mean time to development of visually significant posterior capsular opacification was 26.91 months (SD, 9.18 months)for the Akreos Adapt, 37.69 months (SD, 19.90 months) for the MA60BM, 53.17 months (SD, 19.88 months) for the Ar40e, and 38.43 months (SD, 8.89 months)for the 1CU. For silicone intraocular lenses with a sharp edge, the mean time to development of visually significant posterior capsular opacification was 17.93 months (SD, 6.35 months) for the ZM900, 37.93 months (SD, 20.69 months) for the SA40N, and 25.14 months (SD, 3.34 months) for the Z9000 (p = 0.001). For the silicone intraocular lens with round edge (S140NB), the mean time to development of visually significant posterior capsular opacification was 16.80 months (SD, 13.07 months). Conclusions: There was a wide variation in time to development of visually significant posterior capsular opacification among the different intraocular lenses implanted after cataract surgery. This has important implications for the future development of intraocular lenses and for the choice of intraocular lens made by urgeons treating patients with cataract.