Posterior capsule opacification and neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy rates with 2 microincision intraocular lenses: Four-year results

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy rates between 2 microincision intraocular lenses (IOLs) 4 years after surgery.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Patients randomly received a Y-60H 3-piece hydrophobic IOL (hydrophobic group) in 1 eye and an MI60 1-piece hydrophilic IOL (hydrophilic group) in the contralateral eye during simultaneous bilateral cataract surgery. Eyes were examined 1 week, 20 months, and 4 years postoperatively. Digital retroilluminated images of each eye were evaluated using Automated Quantification of After-Cataract software. The Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy rate was recorded.

Results: Sixty patients were enrolled. Objective PCO was significantly higher in the hydrophobic group than in the hydrophilic group before capsulotomy 2 years after cataract surgery (mean score 2.1 ± 1.8 (SD) versus 1.2 ± 1.4) (P =.031). At the 4-year follow-up, the hydrophobic group had a statistically significantly higher Nd:YAG rate than the hydrophilic group (77% versus 50%) (P =.012).

Conclusion: Comparison of 2 microincision IOLs indicated a statistically significant difference in PCO and Nd:YAG capsulotomy rates, with very high Nd:YAG rates 4 years after surgery.