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

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Abstract
To study the effects of foldable acrylic and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lens (IOL) implantation on posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Department of Ophthalmology, Dokuz Eylül University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. This consecutive series comprised 157 eyes having phacoemulsification with implantation of a foldable acrylic IOL with rectangular optic edges and a 5.5 mm optic (AcrySof®) (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). Posterior capsule opacification occurred in 8.7% of eyes in the foldable acrylic IOL group and in 24.7% of eyes in the PMMA IOL group. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P < .01). Centrally located PCO was significantly lower in the acrylic group (P < .01). There 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 formation was detected in 3 eyes, all with the AcrySof IOL. 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.