Posterior capsule opacification after silicone lens implantation and its management

Abstract

The incidence and time of onset of posterior capsular opacification in a consecutive series of 147 silicone lens implants and in 585 polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) lens implants were compared. Silicone lenses, sulcus and capsular bag fixated, had an opacification rate of 27.9%, while PMMA had a rate of 7.0%. In the silicone lens series, 65.9% of the opaque capsules required YAG laser posterior capsulotomies in the first four months. In the PMMA implants, only 28.6% required YAG laser capsulotomies in the first four months. The mean follow-up time was nine months. Management of capsular opacification in silicone lenses required early YAG laser capsulotomy, with focusing posterior to the capsule to avoid pitting the implant.