PURPOSE: A questionnaire was sent to all members of the German Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons to evaluate complications of foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) that required explanation. METHODS: Information on preoperative visual acuity, foldable IOL design and material as well as the reason for IOL explantation was obtained and analysed. We received 167 completed questionnaires for 1998 and 1999. RESULTS: In 1998 and 1999 the most common reasons for IOL explantation were as follows: incorrect lens power for 56% of the 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOLs, 16% because of glare or other photic phenomena, 40% of the 1-piece hydrophilic acrylic IOLs were explanted because of incorrect lens power and 30% for IOL damage. For the 3-piece monofocal silicone IOLs, 41% were explanted because of incorrect IOL power and 32% because of IOL decentration. For the 1-piece Hydrogel IOL, 76% were explanted because of opacification of the optic and 14% because of incorrect lens power. Most multifocal IOLs were explanted because of photic phenomena. CONCLUSION: In addition to the most common complications such as decentration and incorrect IOL power observed in rigid IOLs, new complications associated with foldable IOLs occurred such as optic opacification, glare and photic phenomena. Some complications seemed to appear in particular IOL types (opacification: SC-60BOUV, MDR), while others were observed in all types of foldable lenses. Accurate calculation of the IOL power and further improvement of the IOL material and design seem to be necessary to minimise the rate of explantations.
PURPOSE: A questionnaire was sent to all members of the German Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons to evaluate complications of foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) that required explanation. METHODS: Information on preoperative visual acuity, foldable IOL design and material as well as the reason for IOL explantation was obtained and analysed. We received 167 completed questionnaires for 1998 and 1999. RESULTS: In 1998 and 1999 the most common reasons for IOL explantation were as follows: incorrect lens power for 56% of the 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOLs, 16% because of glare or other photic phenomena, 40% of the 1-piece hydrophilic acrylic IOLs were explanted because of incorrect lens power and 30% for IOL damage. For the 3-piece monofocal silicone IOLs, 41% were explanted because of incorrect IOL power and 32% because of IOL decentration. For the 1-piece Hydrogel IOL, 76% were explanted because of opacification of the optic and 14% because of incorrect lens power. Most multifocal IOLs were explanted because of photic phenomena. CONCLUSION: In addition to the most common complications such as decentration and incorrect IOL power observed in rigid IOLs, new complications associated with foldable IOLs occurred such as optic opacification, glare and photic phenomena. Some complications seemed to appear in particular IOL types (opacification: SC-60BOUV, MDR), while others were observed in all types of foldable lenses. Accurate calculation of the IOL power and further improvement of the IOL material and design seem to be necessary to minimise the rate of explantations.