Intraocular lens haptic fracturing with the neodymium:YAG laser In vitro study.

PURPOSE

To determine the neodymium:YAG (Nd:YAG) laser energy threshold to fracture the haptic of various currently marketed intraocular lenses.

SETTING

Dokuz Eylul University, Ophthalmology Department, Izmir, Turkey.

METHODS

Four haptic materials-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), hydrophobic acrylic, hydrophilic acrylic, and polyvinylidene fluoride-were tested. The intraocular lenses (IOLs) were grouped according to haptic material. Each group comprised 9 IOLs. Beginning laser energy was 4 mJ. If no crack was noted, energy was increased by 0.5 mJ at every 20 shots and the procedure continued until a fracture was noted. If the fracture could not be developed despite reaching an energy level of 10 mJ, the procedure was terminated. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the differences within groups.

RESULTS

Hydrophobic acrylic and polyvinylidene fluoride haptics required higher energy and more laser shots to create a fracture than hydrophilic acrylic and PMMA haptics.

CONCLUSIONS

Neodymium:YAG laser haptic fracturing can be a viable option to cut the fibrosed haptic before explanting any IOL. It was demonstrated in vitro that it is easier to fracture hydrophilic acrylic and PMMA haptics than hydrophobic acrylic and polyvinylidene fluoride haptics.