Effect of an acrylic posterior chamber intraocular lens on posterior capsule opacification in cataract patients with associated risk factors

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of an acrylic foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) on the rate of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in patients with associated risk factors. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea. Methods: The medical records of 570 patients who had phacoemulsification and foldable PC IOL implantation by the same surgeon from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 1999, were reviewed. Patients with risk factors for PCO (ie, young age, diabetes mellitus) received an acrylic PC IOL to decrease the opacification rate. Their rate was compared to that in patients without associated risk factors who received a foldable silicone PC IOL. Results: In the patients without diabetes mellitus, the PCO rate in patients younger than 60 years with an acrylic PC IOL and in patients older than 60 years with a silicone PC IOL were similar. In patients older than 60 years, the rate of PCO was significantly lower in patients with diabetes mellitus and an acrylic PC IOL than in patients without diabetes mellitus with a silicone foldable PC IOL. Conclusions: The rate of PCO in patients with risk factors for PCO with an acrylic PC IOL was similar to or lower than that in patients without risk factors with a foldable silicone PC IOL. Therefore, acrylic PC IOLs are preferable, particularly in patients with risk factors for PCO. (C) 2003 ASCRS and ESCRS.