Clinical results of hydrogel lens implantation.

Polymethylmethacrylate has proven to be a useful intraocular lens (IOL) implant material and remains the most widely used material for the fabrication of IOLs. Complications, however, from IOL implantation still occur. A hydrogel lens has been designed for posterior chamber placement. A clinical study from August 1983 to June 1985 was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of this new lens manufactured from 38% poly HEMA. The noninflammatory postoperative complications were limited to lens decentration and opacification of the lens capsule. Three cases of posterior capsule opacification required YAG laser capsulotomy. Laser capsulotomy is feasible and the lens appeared to be more resistant to damage from the YAG laser than polymethylmethacrylate lenses. In general, the material appeared to be well tolerated and there have been no cases of persistent iritis or clinically detectable cystoid macular edema. If the visual acuity outcome by age decade for all patients irrespective of follow-up time is considered, 92% of patients achieved 20/40 or better corrected visual acuity.