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Silicone confirmed as a significant risk factor for post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis
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STOCKHOLM, Sweden — The ESCRS endophthalmitis study shows that patients receiving a silicone IOL are three times more likely to develop endophthalmitis than patients implanted with an acrylic IOL, according to a presenter here.
"We re-examined the data of the ESCRS study concerning the role of lens material in determining the risk rate for endophthalmitis. The question was whether it was the hydrophobic nature of the silicone IOL or the silicone material itself that was responsible for an increased rate of endophthalmitis," Peter Barry, MD, the study coordinator, said at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons meeting.
By comparing the endophthalmitis rates of hydrophobic silicone lenses with other hydrophobic and hydrophilic lenses, the researchers concluded that the hydrophobic/hydrophilic character of the optic material is not significant. However, silicone, unlike other materials, was significantly associated with endophthalmitis.
"For total endophthalmitis, the rate of 'other' hydrophilic materials is 0.17%, for 'other' hydrophobic [materials] it is 0.11%, while for silicone it is 0.32%. For proven endophthalmitis, the rate of 'other' hydrophilic [materials] is 0.1%, for 'other' hydrophobic [materials] it is 0.07%, while for silicone hydrophobic it is 0.25%," Dr. Barry said.