The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the impact of different sharp-edged intraocular lenses (IOLs) (hydrophobic acrylic or silicone) on posterior and anterior lens capsule opacification (PCO and ACO) at 3-year postoperative follow-up.

Material and methods: A total of 96 eyes (89 patients) having a standard uncomplicated phacoemulsification procedure for age-related cataract were included in a prospective clinical study: 34 eyes with a 3-piece acrylic hydrophobic (AcrySof, MA3OBA), 32 eyes with a 1-piece acrylic hydrophobic (AcrySof, SA3OAL), and 30 eyes with a 3-piece silicone (CeeOn 911A) IOL. Visual acuity, capsulorrhexis/optic overlapping, ACO and PCO (using EPCO2000 system) were evaluated at 3-year follow-up. Capsulotomies performed by means of neodymium-yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser were recorded.

Results: Three years after surgery, the grade of ACO of the capsulorrhexis rim area and the capsule/optic area was significantly greater in the silicone IOL group than in the acrylic IOL groups (P<0.05). During 3 postoperative years, there were no significant differences in the PCO values either in the entire IOL optic area or in the central 3-mm optic zone comparing the groups. Three years after surgery, 9% of eyes with a 3-piece acrylic IOL, 3.1% of eyes with a 1-piece acrylic IOL, and no case in the silicone IOL group had Nd:YAG capsulotomy (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The 3-year follow-up after cataract surgery showed no difference in PCO development (EPCO2000) between acrylic hydrophobic and silicone sharp-edged IOLs. However, the need for Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was higher in the acrylic IOL groups than the silicone IOL group, though the difference was not significant. ACO was greatest in the eyes with 3-piece silicone IOLs.