Posterior Capsular Opacification in Pseudophakic Eyes with a Silicone or Acrylic Intraocular Lens

Purpose To compare posterior capsular opacification in eyes with IOL of two different materials - silicone or acrylic. Methods Eighty consecutive eyes undergoing cataract surgery were prospectively randomized in two groups, 40 eyes receiving a silicone (SI – 30NB) and 40 eyes an acrylic (Acrysof MA60BM) intraocular lens (IOL). The same surgeon performed phacoemulsification and the intraocular lens (PHACO IOL) operation in all cases. Patients were re-examined on the first postoperative day, after one week, four months, and 1–2.4 years. Seven eyes were lost to late control. Results Clinically significant posterior capsular opacification (PCO) (including eyes with capsulotomy already performed) was equally common in both groups; 25% in the silicone group and 19% in the acrylic group (p=0.53). The posterior capsule remained clear in 61% of the silicone and 76% of the acrylic IOL eyes (p=0.18). In the whole study group, 29% of eyes with and 14% without concurrent ocular diseases had significant PCO (p=0.13). In the silicone IOL group, PCO was more common in eyes with concurrent ocular diseases (44%) than eyes without other diseases (10%) (p=0.049). Eyes with acrylic IOL showed no difference in significant PCO, with or without other diseases (18% and 20%, respectively). Conclusions In a consecutive series of 80 cataract eyes central PCO was equally common in eyes receiving a silicone or an acrylic IOL. In the silicone IOL group, however, significant PCO was more common if there was concurrent ocular disease, while with the acrylic IOL concurrent ocular disease did not seem to increase the risk of PCO.