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Physician airs concern regarding IOL material strength, hydrophilicity, glistening
A physician raised concerns that, depending on impurities and strength of materials, glistenings of varying severity may occur after IOL implantation.
John R. Wittpenn, MD, presented prevalence data at Hawaiian Eye 2011 from a retrospective chart review of 451 eyes in which he had implanted Acrysof IOLs (Alcon) between 2003 and 2008. He then re-examined those eyes between 2008 and 2009 to determine subsequent glistening severity based on a grading level of 0 to 4.
"The good news is that ... the majority, more than two-thirds, are at grade 1, which [is] essentially irrelevant," Dr. Wittpenn told colleagues. "My bigger concern is what's happening at grade 3/4," he said.
According to Dr. Wittpenn, longer follow-up may show an increased trend in these few patients toward decreased best corrected visual acuity after slow-moving hydrophilic impurities are diffused into the hydrated spaces in the polymer material. The water-filled cavities then grow, increasing cavitation and ultimately resulting in glistening.
"The long and short of it is: more impurities, lower tensile strength, more capitation, more glistening," Dr. Wittpenn said.
- Disclosure: Dr. Wittpenn has no relevant financial interest to disclose.
Hawaiian Eye and Retina 2012 will be held January 15-20 at the Grand Wailea Resort & Spa in Maui. Learn more at OSNHawaiianEye.com or RetinaMeeting.com.