ONE-PIECE PLATE HAPTIC SILICONE LENS AND ANTERIOR CAPSULE FIBROSIS

Background Foldable plate haptic silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) were surmised to produce greater anterior capsule fibrosis than poly(methyl metacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lenses. Material and methods A retrospective study of 34 eyes was carried out 12 to 15 months after phacoemulsification. All surgical procedures were performed by the same surgeon (M.G.) using two different techniques: 17 eyes were operated on through a temporal clear-cornea incison and implanted with a foldable plate haptic silicone IOL (STAAR(R) AA4203); 17 eyes were operated on through a superior sclerocorneal incision and received a PMMA IOL (Kabi Pharmacia(R) 809P). Secondary opacification of the anterior capsule was compared between the two groups. Results Seventy percent of eyes (12/17) with plate haptic silicone IOL had moderate or important anterior capsule fibrosis or shrinkage. Only 18% of eyes (3/17) with PMMA IOL presented with this complication. However, posterior capsule opacification was almost similar in both groups. Conclusion Foldable plate haptic silicone IOLs seem to produce a more important anterior capsule fibrosis or shrinkage than PMMA IOL one year after phacoemulsification and saccular implantation. Although etiology is unknown, either huge contact between IOL and anterior capsule, or lack of contact between anterior and posterior capsules are hypotheses advanced. Posterior capsule opacification is similar in the two groups.