Suppression of surface light scattering in intraocular lenses manufactured using an improved production process

Purpose: To clinically examine the suppression of surface light scattering after implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) manufactured using an improved production process.

Setting: Miyata Eye Hospital, Miyazaki, Japan.

Design: Comparative case series.

Methods: The prospective case series comprised eyes receiving hydrophobic acrylic Acrysof SN60WF IOLs that were manufactured before and after the improvement. Light scattering on the anterior IOL surface was examined up to 3 years postoperatively using an EAS-1000 anterior segment analyzer. The changes during the postoperative period were evaluated and the 2 IOLs compared. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and contrast sensitivity under photopic and mesopic conditions were also examined 3 years postoperatively.

Results: The case series comprised 24 eyes (received IOL before improvement) and 27 eyes (received IOL after improvement). After the improvement, the IOLs showed no increase in surface light scattering up to 2 years, while there were increases after 2 years in the other IOLs. The light scattering with the improved IOL was significantly reduced at all observations (P < .048, t test with Holm correction). No difference was found in the CDVA and contrast sensitivity.

Conclusions: The improvement in the production process effectively decreased and slowed the development of surface light scattering. The slower increase in the improved IOL 3 years postoperatively showed that the development of water aggregates would not be completely prevented.

Financial disclosure: None of the authors has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.