Interim FDA report on intraocular lenses.

Intraocular lenses have been regulated by the Food and Drug Administration since February 9, 1978. Data reported through August 9, 1979 reveal 177,503 lenses of four different classes have been implanted. The anterior chamber intraocular lens appears to have a higher incidence of certain postoperative complications compared with both control operations and implantation of lenses in the other three classes. The anterior chamber intraocular lens appears to be associated with a lower level of visual acuity compared with both control cases and the other three lens classes during the first six months following implantation. Some complications occurred less frequently following implantation of intraocular lenses than in control cases.