Purpose: The authors analyzed incidence and types of complications seen after implantation of silicone posterior chamber intraocular lenses (PC IOLs). These data were compared with those obtained in previous studies with standard polymethylmethacrylate IOLs.
Methods: Data from the laboratory database were collected on 100 explanted silicone IOLs submitted to the Center for Intraocular Lens Research from 1986 to 1994.
Results: Of the 100 IOLs, 63 were three-piece designs with polypropylene loops and 37 were one-piece plate lenses. The two most important reasons for explantation were IOL decentration (42.0%) and inflammation (27.7%). There was no significant difference for the reasons of explantations between one- and three piece IOLs (P > 0.1). Intraocular lenses that had been removed due to inflammatory reactions had a significantly longer implant duration (19.2 +/- 18.9 months) than lenses that were explanted because of decentration (9.19 +/- 12.1 months) (P = 0.018).
Conclusions: The results presented here showed that there is no substantial difference between these IOLs and polymethylmethacrylate lenses in terms of reasons for explantation. The authors' data suggest that clinical outcome is not as dependent on the type of lens selected as it is on the quality of surgery. The key to good results is the use of "capsular surgery," namely techniques that ensure secure in-the-bag IOL fixation.