Effect of intraocular lens design on neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy rates.

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 Ophthamology, 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.