Clinical outcomes of new multifocal intraocular lenses with hydroxyethyl methacrylate and comparative results of contrast sensitivity, objective scatter, and subjective photic phenomena.

BACKGROUND: We investigate the performance of new hydrophobic diffractive multifocal intraocular lenses (IOL) with hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and compare their optical quality, contrast sensitivity, and subjective photic phenomena. METHODS: Medical records of patients who underwent routine simple cataract surgery and insertion of an existing multifocal IOL (TFNT, TF group) or a new multifocal IOL (CNWT, CN group) were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data was collected 2 months postoperatively and included optical quality analysis system (OQAS) indices, contrast sensitivity, and subjective degrees of photic phenomena. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five eyes of 135 patients were included (CN group, 71; TF group, 64). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the visual acuity and defocus curve. The indices of OQAS did not show a significant difference between groups. Contrast sensitivity was significantly better in the CN group at all degrees, including the area under the log contrast sensitivity function (p = 0.01). The subjective photic phenomena survey showed better results for the CN group, with the proportion of patients reporting no photic phenomena as 9.9% and 3.1% in the CN and TF groups, respectively. The proportion of patients who reported severe photic phenomena was 11.3% in the CN group and 25.0% in the TF group. Although the follow-up period was only 2 months, glistening, surface scattering, and posterior capsule opacity were not observed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: The new multifocal IOL with HEMA is safe, and provides stable visual acuity as well as superior contrast sensitivity and lower subjective photic phenomena, over the prior IOL.

Recurrent occlusion of laser iridotomy sites after posterior chamber phakic IOL implantation.

We report a case of recurrent occlusion of laser iridotomy (LI) sites after a Visian ICL (Implantable contact lens version 4, Staar Surgical AG, Nidau, Switzerland) implantation. A 45-year-old woman had bilateral ICL implantation after placement of two peripheral LI sites in each eye to prevent pupillary block. At one month after the operation, severe narrowing or occlusion of four LI sites occurred. After this, although she received four additional LIs at postoperative months 1, 6, 9 and 10 in both eyes, the narrowing or occlusion recurred. Mild chronic anterior chamber inflammation was observed intermittently throughout the follow-up period. We performed clear lens extraction in both eyes (at postoperative month 11 in the left eye and month 26 in the right eye) due to recurrent occlusion of the LI sites and excess trabecular meshwork pigment deposition presumably caused by the four repeated LIs. Recurrent obstruction of LI sites can occur after ICL implantation. These problems were unresolvable despite four repeated laser iridotomies. The risks associated with anterior uveitis must be considered when planning an ICL implantation.