Sharp-edged acrylic IOLs have higher PCO rate than round-edged silicone IOLs

This retrospective study compared PCO and Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy rates in patients who underwent cataract surgery and implantation with a three-piece silicone IOL with round optic edges or a three-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL with sharp optic edges. The authors were surprised to find that 10 years after surgery 41 of 99 eyes (42 percent) that received a sharp-edged hydrophobic acrylic IOL required Nd:YAG capsulotomy compared with only eight of 44 eyes (18 percent) implanted with a round-edged silicone IOL.

The authors speculate that the material used in the IOL may be more important for long-term barrier maintenance than other factors, such as the speed of the capsule fusion or sharpness of the optic edge. They said the study's results indicate that silicone may provide a more permanent barrier, due to better sealing of both capsule leaves at the IOL edge compared with acrylic IOLs.