Comparison of a Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Acrylic Intraocular Lens regarding Posterior Capsule Opacification in Patients with and without Uveitis
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Introduction: Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is the most common complication after cataract surgery. PCO rates vary between intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic lenses are widely used, and it is important to investigate which lens has less PCO development, not least in patients with uveitis, who have higher risk of developing PCO. Aim: To compare PCO after cataract surgery with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic sharp edged IOL in patients with and without uveitis. Methods: In this randomized controlled study, patients with and without uveitis eligible for bilateral cataract surgery with a hydrophobic and hydrophilic IOL between 2017-2020 were included. PCO incidence and proportion of PCO on the posterior capsule after 1 year was assessed by two graders. Results: 20 patients (40 eyes) were included. Most eyes in in the study did not develop PCO. PCO occurred in 7 eyes (38.9 %) with uveitis and 7 eyes (31.8 %) without uveitis (p = 0.641). PCO developed in 6 eyes (30 %) with the hydrophobic IOL and 8 eyes (40 %) with the hydrophilic IOL (p = 0.507). The median of the proportion of the posterior capsule covered with PCO was 43 % in the uveitic group and 36 % in the non-uveitic group (p = 0.522). The median of the proportion of the posterior capsule covered with PCO was 35 % for the hydrophobic IOL and 39.5 % for the hydrophilic IOL (p = 0.332). Conclusions: No significant difference in PCO development between patient groups nor IOL types were seen. The higher incidence in uveitic eyes could indicate higher risk for uveitic patients of developing PCO. The lower PCO incidence in hydrophobic IOLs could suggest that hydrophobic IOLs are valuable for minimizing PCO development. These findings should be confirmed in larger studies.