Opacification of SC60B-OUV lens implant following routine phacoemulsification surgery: case report and EM study

Abstract

In 1949, Sir Harold Ridley implanted the first artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to reduce refractive error following cataract extraction.1 Numerous designs of IOL implants have followed and a variety of materials have been used in their manufacture, including poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), silicone, acrylic, and hydrogel based materials. Important requirements of IOL implant material are to not excite an inflammatory response and the ability to remain transparent within the eye for an extended period of time. In recent years, there have been reports of opacification of IOL implants such as calcification on the optical surface of the Hydroview lens2; "glistenings" of fluid filled vacuoles in the optic of the AcrySof IOL3, 4; and "snowflake" crystalline opacification of three piece rigid PMMA lenses.5