Opacification of AcriFlex 50CSE hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses

674 Cases of Late Postoperative Intraocular Lens Opacification of a Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Acryl Intraocular Lens in Switzerland and Retrospective Opacification Risk Factor Assessment of 212 Cases

PURPOSE

To report the prevalence of late postoperative opacification of a hydrophilic and hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) and to assess the risk factors in a subset of 212 eyes of patients referred to the University Eye Department in Basel, Switzerland.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

A survey was performed at all large ophthalmological clinics in Switzerland regarding exchanged Lentis LS-502-1 lenses, and the number of affected eyes was counted. Moreover, consecutive patients who were referred to a tertiary clinic between September 2015 and November 2016 with Lentis LS-502-1 opacification were investigated. Peri- and postoperative charts, medical history, and topical and systemic medications were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 674 opacified Lentis LS-502-1 lenses have been reported in Switzerland, and 212 consecutive eyes of 182 patients were included in the study. All IOLs had a similar pattern of opacification with a yellowish, diffuse appearance, and most of them showed a small, paracentral, roundish area that was less affected or not at all. Arterial hypertension (73%), hypercholesterolemia (34%), and diabetes (21%) were the main associated systemic diseases, and statins (34%) and betablockers (34%) were the main treatments used.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of IOL opacification was 9.9%. No associated systemic eye disease or medications could be detected, which was implicated in the opacification process. The reason for opacification remains unclear, but it seems to be unrelated to the patient's state; therefore, it is attributed to primary calcification.

Multifocal IOL explantation in patients with opaque lentis after refractive lens exchange

PURPOSE

We describe the outcomes of intraocular lens (IOL) explantation in a cluster of opaque multifocal Lentis LS-313 following refractive lens exchange (RLE).

METHODS

Single-centre, single-surgeon, retrospective case series.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 10 eyes of 10 patients, 6 male and 4 female. All patients had uneventful RLE with multifocal IOL implantation. The mean patient age at the time of RLE was 53 years ± 2.52 (SD). Two eyes had YAG laser capsulotomy prior to explantation. The mean interval between the initial RLE and IOL explantation was 5.4 years ± 1.4 (SD). IOL exchange was performed in all eyes in one procedure. Five eyes had in the bag hydrophobic acrylic IOL (3 multifocal and 2 monofocal), three eyes had 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL in the ciliary sulcus and two had an anterior chamber IOL. Intraoperatively one patient had weak zonules and two patients had zonular dehiscence and required anterior vitrectomy. The mean preoperative CDVA was 0.25 ± 0.15 (SD) logMAR and at the final follow-up, improved to 0.00 ± 0.07 (SD) logMAR (p < 0.01). Light microscopy with von Kossa stain confirmed IOL calcification. No postoperative complications were recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

IOL exchange appears to be a feasible and safe surgical option for multifocal IOL opacification. However, patients must be warned of additional intraoperative risks including zonular dialysis, vitreous loss, retinal detachment and need for potential scleral or iris fixated IOL or anterior chamber IOL (ACIOL) with its associated sequel of complications. Moreover, YAG laser capsulotomy should be considered carefully as it increases the chances of intraoperative complications and restricts the surgical options of secondary IOL insertion such as in-the-bag IOL exchange with MFIOL.

Clinical features of red blood cell-coated intraocular lens after breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration

PURPOSE

To investigate the incidence and clinical features of red blood cell (RBC)-coated intraocular lens (IOL) in breakthrough vitreous hemorrhage (VH) with subretinal hemorrhage (SRH) secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

SETTING

Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort analysis.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients diagnosed as breakthrough VH with SRH in nAMD who underwent pars plana vitrectomy were included in this study. Demographics and clinical characteristics of the subjects, visual acuities, and SRH sizes measured as disc diameters were analyzed. The correlation analysis between SRH size and absorption duration of RBC-coated IOL were performed.

RESULTS

Out of 30 eyes in 30 patients, RBC-coated IOLs were observed in 11 patients (37%). Appearance of RBC-coated IOLs was noted 1 month postoperatively, and the mean duration of SRH absorption was 8.6 ± 2.6 months. SRH sizes were significantly different between eyes with RBC-coated IOL and clear IOL (62.8 ± 20.7 vs 27.4 ± 14.2, P < .001). There was definite correlation between SRH size and absorption duration of RBC-coated IOL (correlation coefficient 0.899, P < .001, R2 = 0.831). There were no statistically significant differences according to age, sex, laterality, underlying medical conditions, preoperative lens status, history of antivascular endothelial growth factor treatment, and visual acuities. The degenerated RBC on the surface of IOL was confirmed by electron and light microscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

RBC-coated IOL could develop after vitrectomy surgery for breakthrough VH with massive SRH secondary to nAMD, and it can be confused with IOL opacification. Because it spontaneously disappears gradually, observation without IOL removal is warranted.

Large-scale opacification of a hydrophilic/hydrophobic intraocular lens

PURPOSE

To determine the prevalence and risk factors related to the opacification of the LS-502-1 intraocular lens.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study including patients submitted to cataract surgery between January 2010 and March 2012, with implantation of the LS-502-1 intraocular lens. Past medical history was registered and a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, that included best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp examination and fundoscopy, was performed. Anterior segment photographs were taken whenever intraocular lens opacification was present.

RESULTS

One hundred and sixty-nine eyes of 154 patients were included, mean age 78.5 ± 7.9 years. The average follow-up after intraocular lens implantation was 65.6 ± 10.0 months. Intraocular lens opacification was seen in 53.3% (n = 90) and presented as one of four different patterns: peripheral (15.6%, n = 14), central (4.4%, n = 4), diffuse (71.1%, n = 64) and superficial white deposits (8.9%, n = 8). There was no statistically significant association with systemic or ophthalmic conditions. In patients with bilateral implantation, intraocular lens opacification in one eye was significantly related to intraocular lens opacification in the fellow eye. A significant variability in opacification was found across intraocular lens serial numbers: the odds ratio for opacification in intraocular lens with serial number beginning with 200003 was 6.0 when comparing with the remaining lenses.

CONCLUSION

The opacification prevalence of the LS-502-1 intraocular lens was 53.3%, which is the highest ever described for any intraocular lens model. Our results suggest that this occurrence is secondary to an interaction between unknown patient variables and problems related to intraocular lens manufacturing and storage procedures.

Late postoperative opacification of a hydrophilic-hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens

PURPOSE

To report late postoperative opacification of a model of hydrophilic-hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) as well as the clinical consequences and laboratory characteristics.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Medical records were reviewed of patients with Lentis LS-502-1 IOL opacification reporting visual loss who had IOL explantation between November 2013 and March 2015. Patients were identified in the emergency room or during regular follow-up visits. Explanted IOLs were analyzed at the Ophthalmic Explants Biobank, Vissum, Spain, or at the John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, USA.

RESULTS

Twenty opacified IOLs were explanted from 19 patients. The mean interval between cataract surgery and diagnosis of opacification was 29.15 months ± 9.57 (SD) (range 6 to 45 months). Opacification led to a statistically significant reduction in corrected distance visual acuity (mean 0.86 ± 0.76 logMAR; P < .001) and occurred in 5.1% of the hydrophilic-hydrophobic acrylic IOLs implanted at the department. The most frequently associated medical conditions were arterial hypertension, diabetes, and glaucoma. All IOLs but 1 had a similar pattern of opacification, with yellowish diffuse opacification uniformly distributed and calcium deposits on the surface and/or subsurface of the optic and haptics and within the IOL material.

CONCLUSIONS

Opacification of the hydrophilic-hydrophobic acrylic IOL was found in a significant number of patients and had a significant effect on their vision. The opacification was attributed to primary calcification.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Serial intraocular lens opacifications of different designs from the same manufacturer: Clinical and light microscopic results of 71 explant cases

PURPOSE

To report clinical findings and light microscopic results of 71 opacified hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs).

SETTING

Vivantes Klinikum Neukoelln, Ophthalmology Department, Berlin, Germany.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

METHODS

Sixty-three patients (71 eyes) were referred to the clinic because of vision-impairing IOL opacification between December 2012 and September 2016 after routine cataract surgery elsewhere. The explanted IOLs were analyzed with light microscopy at the John A. Moran Eye Center (University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA). Medical records were reviewed for visual acuity, comorbidities, and complications. Clinical follow up was 6 months.

RESULTS

Seventy-one opacified 1-piece or 3-piece hydrophilic acrylic IOLs (Lentis) of different designs from 2009 to 2012 (LS-502-1, LS-402-1Y, LS 312-1Y, LS-313-1Y, L-402, L-312) were found. Morphological findings were surface, subsurface, or deep calcifications of the IOL material. Explantation was performed 4 years ± 1.2 (SD) after initial phacoemulsification. The mean patient age was 78.6 ± 8.2 years. Ocular and systemic comorbidities were found without statistical correlation: the most frequent were diabetes, uveitis, and glaucoma. The preoperative mean corrected distance visual acuity changed from 0.63 ± 0.47 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) to 0.20 ± 0.28 logMAR postoperatively (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Different designs of IOLs by the same manufacturer, implanted between 2009 and 2012, developed late calcification with significant visual loss after routine cataract surgery. No medical, surgical, or ophthalmologic trigger could be determined. A manufacture issue might be the reason for the opacification.

Opacification of the C-flex 570C intraocular lens after sulcus fixation

PURPOSE

To report a case of diffuse intraocular lens (IOL) opacification in a patient who started complaining of blurred vision in his left eye over the course of three years after having phacoemulsification surgery combined with capsular bag fixation of a C-flex 570C IOL. The IOL had been repositioned in the ciliary sulcus following its subluxation.

METHOD

An IOL exchange was performed, and the explanted IOL was sent for histopathological analysis.

RESULTS

Scanning electron microscopy identified multiple crystalline-like deposits on both sides of the IOL. The optic was more extensively involved than the haptics. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the predominance of calcium within the deposits.

CONCLUSIONS

The breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier seems to be a key component of this calcification process. Ciliary sulcus fixation is not a suitable option for C-flex 570C IOLs.

Scleral fixation technique using a hydrophobic foldable intraocular lens with ring-shaped connecting bridges

We introduce a new method of scleral fixation using a hydrophobic foldable intraocular lens (IOL) with ring-shaped connecting bridges. A double-armed 10-0 polypropylene suturing needle is inserted using the routine ab externo technique. The midportion of the thread is pulled out through a main wound and cut. Using another 10-0 polypropylene needle, the IOL is sutured at both inner ring-shaped connecting bridges (inner shorter rim). The ring-shaped connecting-bridges IOL was carefully injected using the IOL cartridge with gentle pulling out of the thread. The externalized sutures were tied at the corresponding sites. All ties between 2 cut threads were performed using a European death knot. A scleral fixation outcome with the ring-shaped connecting-bridges IOL was similar to a poly(methyl methacrylate) IOL outcome; however, the surgeon should consider the possibility of a postoperative myopic shift.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.