Comparison of Ocular Aberrations in Two Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Intraocular Lenses.

OBJECTIVE

To compare differences in higher-order aberrations (HOAs) between two standard spherical monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs), the hydrophobic acrylic Alcon SA60AT (Bausch & Lomb), and hydrophilic acrylic Rayner Superflex (620H) (Rayner).

METHODS

In this case series, sixty-eight eyes of 68 patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery were studied. In group 1 (n=39), the hydrophobic Alcon SA60AT IOL, and in group 2 (n=29), the hydrophilic Rayner Superflex (620H) IOL, were implanted. Distant best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20. Aberrometry was performed by the OPD Scan III (Nidek) on the undilated pupil and under mesopic conditions at the first and third months after surgery.

RESULTS

There were no differences between the two groups in the mean total coma, total trefoil, total spherical aberration, and total HOAs in the two follow-up sessions (P>0.5, Independent t test). According to the repeated measure analysis of variance test results, total coma, total trefoil, total spherical aberration, and total HOAs significantly increased over time (P=0.033, P=0.017, P=0.005, P=0.004, respectively), although these changes were not significant between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

It seems that IOL optically behaves differently in vivo versus in vitro conditions and environmental factors can affect the increase or decrease in HOAs by an IOL. Therefore, we should consider these factors and the effect of IOL material and design. Also, the implantation of the Alcon SA60AT and Rayner Superflex IOL does not induce higher HOAs in pseudophakic versus phakic eyes.