Multi-link hydrophilic IOL providing ‘excellent’ optical results in Europe

LIEGE, Belgium — A hydrophilic acrylic IOL is showing stability and good optical results with 4 years of follow-up.

The Multi-link Acrygel IOL, distributed in Europe by Corneal, shows excellent optical stability and biocompatibility at 4 years, according to Albert Galand, MD, PhD, chairman and professor of ophthalmology here at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Liege.

With its current design, he said, the IOL has been associated with a high incidence of posterior capsular opacification, but he and the IOL’s developers hope a newer version of the IOL will reduce the PCO incidence rate.

“There is an absence of uveal reactions, and this material leads to less dysphotopsia than hydrophobic acrylates,” Dr. Galand said. “It is a one-piece implant in hydrophilic acrylate with a 26% water content. Multi-link is the name I gave to the closed J-loop implants.”

Dr. Galand completed a retrospective evaluation of the visual functions and complications of the lens in 638 patients. All patients were older than 60 at the time of surgery and had completed 4 years of wear with the lens. Of these patients, 97% had best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Spherical equivalent differed from the calculation by 1 D or more in 8%; 0.4% complained of glare; 1.5% complained of halos; 11% had posterior capsule striae; and no IOL material opacification was seen at the slit lamp. Iris synechiae, clinical decentration and pupil capture were not seen.

The Acrygel is not available in the United States.

More details on this IOL can be found in the Dec. 1, 2002, issue of Ocular Surgery News.