Abstract
Purpose::
To report the clinical and surgical outcomes following exchange of opacified intraocular lenses (IOLs).
Methods::
Retrospective chart review was performed on 16 patients (17 eyes) that underwent IOL exchange by one surgeon (CJC) due to the opacification of intraocular lens implant. All patients had cataract extraction and implantation of IOL done by various cataract surgeons from 1999 to 2003. Pars plana vitrectomy and trans-scleral suture fixation posterior chamber lens implant were performed on all patients after the opacified lens implant was removed along with the fibrosed capsule. Main outcome measurements were visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, subjective symptom improvement, intra- and postoperative complications.
Results::
Seventeen eyes of 16 patients were included in this study. The mean (+SD) interval between the primary cataract surgery and the IOL exchange was 53.5 (+ 20.3) months. The mean (+SE) follow-up after the IOL exchange procedure was 10.5 (+ 3.2 ) months [range: 2-50 months]. There was no intra-operative complication during the IOL exchange. There was a significant improvement of postoperative best corrected visual acuity (p=0.0001). Sixteen (94.1%) patients reported better visual acuity after the surgery; and improved contrast sensitivity was reported in five out of six patients (83.3%). Contrast sensitivity improved from 46.4 + 17.9% to 30.8 + 23.5% after the IOL exchange. Thirteen (76.4%) eyes that underwent IOL exchange achieved a final BCVA of 20/40 or better. Sixteen IOL (94.1%) were found to be MemoryLens Model U940A UV-Absorbing Hydrophilic Posterior Chamber IOL.
Conclusions::
Opacification of IOL occurred rarely but created a significant visual disturbance to the patients. IOL exchange eliminated the subjective complaints and improved the visual performance on most of the patients after the surgery. Visual function and quality of life were better after IOL exchange.
Keywords: intraocular lens