PURPOSE: To assess the long-term increase in surface light scattering of foldable hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and to evaluate its effect on visual acuity. SETTING: Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The clinical records of patients who received an Acrysof IOL (study group) or a Sensar AR40 or AR40e IOL (control group) were reviewed retrospectively. Surface light scattering of IOLs was measured 1 year postoperatively or later. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at the surface-light-scattering examination was compared with the CDVA 1 month after IOL implantation. The changes in CDVA over time were compared with the increase in surface light scattering. RESULTS: The study evaluated 466 eyes of 337 patients. Surface light scattering in the study group continued to increase up to 15 years postoperatively. The light scattering was higher on the anterior IOL surface after 4.5 years. Increased surface light scattering had no significant impact on CDVA; however, there were more cases with decreased CDVA when the surface light scattering exceeded 50 computer-compatible tape steps. CONCLUSION: Surface light scattering with the implanted foldable hydrophobic acrylic IOL continuously increased during the postoperative years and was a risk for decreased visual acuity.
PURPOSE: To assess the long-term increase in surface light scattering of foldable hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and to evaluate its effect on visual acuity. SETTING: Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: The clinical records of patients who received an Acrysof IOL (study group) or a Sensar AR40 or AR40e IOL (control group) were reviewed retrospectively. Surface light scattering of IOLs was measured 1 year postoperatively or later. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at the surface-light-scattering examination was compared with the CDVA 1 month after IOL implantation. The changes in CDVA over time were compared with the increase in surface light scattering. RESULTS: The study evaluated 466 eyes of 337 patients. Surface light scattering in the study group continued to increase up to 15 years postoperatively. The light scattering was higher on the anterior IOL surface after 4.5 years. Increased surface light scattering had no significant impact on CDVA; however, there were more cases with decreased CDVA when the surface light scattering exceeded 50 computer-compatible tape steps. CONCLUSION: Surface light scattering with the implanted foldable hydrophobic acrylic IOL continuously increased during the postoperative years and was a risk for decreased visual acuity.