[Scanning electron microscopy findings in a rigid one-piece polymethylmethacrylate anterior chamber lens with a 30 year duration in the eye].

A rigid one-piece PMMA anterior chamber lens (Scharf type) had to be removed 30 years after implantation because of diffuse bullous keratopathy and painful secondary glaucoma. Scanning electron microscopy showed the IOL to have a crater-like surface, while the haptics, having been in contact with intraocular tissues, were superficially and deeply eroded. Comparison with two identical anterior chamber lenses which had not been implanted revealed that the changes seen in the removed IOL must have been the result of degradation of the PMMA material.