Centration and fixation of silicone intraocular lenses: Clinicopathological findings in human autopsy eyes

Purpose: To analyze centration and fixation of three-piece and one-piece silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) in human autopsy eyes. Setting: Center for Intraocular Lens Research, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston. Methods: Thirty eyes among those submitted to the center between 1986 and 1994 were evaluated. The globes were sectioned at the equatorial plane and photographed from a posterior view. Gross examination was performed to determine IOL type, fixation, centration, and additional pathology. The results were compared with those of a control group of autopsy eyes implanted with one-piece and three-piece poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOLs. The control group matched the silicone group in patient age, fixation site, and duration of implantation. Results: Twenty-three eyes (79.3%) had three-piece silicone IOLs and 7 eyes (20.7%), one-piece plate IOLs. Average patient age in the three-piece group was 77.3 years +/- 6.7 (SD) and in the one-piece group, 74.3 +/- 3.8 years. The 30 IOLs were symmetrically fixated in the bag. Average decentration of the three-piece and one-piece IOLs did not differ significantly, 0.37 +/- 0.31 mm and 0.26 +/- 0.13 mm, respectively (P = .37). There was also no significant difference in decentration between the silicone groups and the PMMA groups (P = .93). Conclusion: Centration and fixation of silicone IOLs were equivalent to those of standard PMMA IOLs.