Comparison of Posterior Capsular Opacification with Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Acrylic Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens after Cataract Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO) is a type of membrane formation composed from pearls, fibrotic and Soemmering’s rings on the posterior capsule. It is a multifactorial physiological consequence of cataract surgery with Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens (PCIOL). Aim: To evaluate the difference in the incidence of PCO between hydrophilic and hydrophobic acrylic Intraocular Lens (IOL). Materials and Methods: This observational study was conducted over a period of 12 months and patients attending Department of Ophthalmology were incorporated in the study. A total of 112 eyes of 106 patients with age related cataract were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups, group I had 55 eyes which underwent cataract surgery with hydrophilic PCIOL and group II had 57 eyes which underwent cataract surgery with hydrophobic PCIOL. PCO analysis was done on subsequent follow-ups, at one month, three months and six months with the help of retroilluminated images taken with slit lamp guided anterior segment photography. Results: PCO grade 2 was seen to be most common among both Group I {31 (56.4%)} and Group II {38 (66.7%)} eyes. PCO grade 3 was seen among 20 (36.4%) eyes in group I and 10 (17.5%) eyes in group II which was 2.7 times more in group I as compared to group II. PCO grade 3 was also found to be more prevalent among young patients, diabetics and in patients with immature cataracts. Conclusion: The incidence of PCO is higher with the hydrophilic IOL. However, the increased incidence of PCO is also attributed to young age of patient, presence of diabetes mellitus and immature cataract grade. These are factors known to be associated with higher incidence of PCO.

Keywords

• Diabetes mellitus
• Lens epithelial cells
• Lens opacities classification system III