Effect of intraocular lens design on neodymium:YAG laser capsttlotomy rates

• Published in: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery Vol. 24; no. 9; pp. 1239 - 1242
• Main Authors: Erie, Jay C., Hardwig, Paul W., Hodge, David O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.09.1998
• ISSN: 0886-3350; 1873-4502
• DOI: 10.1016/S0886-3350(98)80019-9

Purpose: To compare the effect of 2 poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), 1-piece, biconvex intraocular lens (IOL) designs on the cumulative frequency of neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 369 eyes that had phacoemulsification with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) and IOL implantation in the capsular bag. Patients were placed in 1 of 2 groups based on the 1-piece, biconvex PMMA IOL design: large IOL, with a lens diameter of 13.50 to 13.75 mm, optic size of 6.5 mm, and 10 degree haptic angulation; small capsular IOL, with a lens diameter of 12.0 to 12.5 mm, optic size of 5.5 mm, and 2 degree haptic angulation. Results: Using Kaplan-Meier analysis, the frequency of Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy 1, 2, and 3 years after cataract surgery was 1.6, 12.3, and 26.5%, respectively, in the large IOL group and 3.4, 9.5, and 23.5%, respectively, in the small capsular IOL group. The cumulative frequency of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was not statistically different between the 2 groups. Conclusion: After phacoemulsification and CCC, there was no significant difference in the Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy rate in eyes with a small, capsular design, 1-piece, biconvex PMMA IOL and those with a larger, angulated, 1-piece, biconvex PMMA IOL.