Calcifications of Hydrophilic Acrylic IOLs

Dr. Andrzej Grzybowski discusses the use of hydrophilic vs hydrophobic acrylic IOLs in cataract surgery. Two tables show the percentage use of each type in 4 European countries. He notes some reasons why hydrophilic lenses are used there (while hydrophobic are used in the United States):

• early career doctors may believe they are easier to implant
• the European Union has an easier approval path for medical devices than the U.S.
• lower cost

Even so, Dr. Grzybowski recommends stopping their use because of common opacification of the lens (he shows a video example), in particular for patients who may need subsequent retinal surgery or endothelial keratoplasty. He further recommends that patients be advised of the risks and that reimbursement agencies be informed of the lifelong economic impact from further surgeries needed to deal with the resulting opacities.