Comparison of Nd : YAG capsulotomy rates following phacoemulsification with implantation of PMMA, silicone, or acrylic intra-ocular lenses in four European countries.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of Nd : YAG laser capsulotomy after cataract surgery according to the type of intra-ocular lens material (PMMA, silicone, hydrophilic acrylic, hydrophobic acrylic) implanted in four European countries (France, Italy, Germany, Spain).

DESIGN

A retrospective record review.

PARTICIPANTS

A review of 1525 patients (first operated eye), aged 50 to 80 years, operated on for cataract in 1996 or 1997 in 16 surgical centers (4 per country).

METHODS

The study employed a retrospective cohort design. Charts were reviewed to collect information during at least a three-year period following cataract surgery to identify patients who underwent Nd : YAG laser capsulotomy postoperatively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Data on the type of intra-ocular lens implanted was extracted from the patient notes, as was the date and outcome of the Nd : YAG laser intervention. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis with the time to Nd : YAG laser was performed on the data. RESULTS A total of 1525 patients (first operated eye) were available for the study (n = 294 for hydrophilic acrylic, n = 384 for PMMA, n = 421 for hydrophobic acrylic, n = 426 for silicone). There was a highly statistically significant difference between the IOL groups for the incidence of posterior capsule opacification (p < 0.001) and for Nd : YAG laser treatment (p < 0.001). The mean delay of Nd : YAG laser treatment from the date of cataract operation was 2.48 years (+/-1.70, ranging from 0 to 5.88 years). The rate of Nd : YAG laser capsulotomy over the follow-up period was lowest in the hydrophobic acrylic group (7.1%), followed by silicone (16.2%), PMMA (19.3%) and hydrophilic acrylic (31.1%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A low incidence of posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and Nd : YAG laser treatment was detected in hydrophobic acrylic IOLs in comparison to three other types of IOLs implanted in a large cohort of persons with age-related cataract. Choice of IOL type may reduce the need for Nd : YAG laser treatment, although further research on the reasons for this is needed.