Late postoperative opacification of MemoryLens hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses Case series and review

Abstract

Our cases show that hydrophilic acrylic IOLs can opacify even years after implantation. Analysis of the explanted IOLs revealed calcification.

Two opacification patterns of the same hydrophilic acrylic polymer: Case reports and clinicopathological correlation

“…They included surface deposition of calcium and phosphate, as in the Hydroview IOL (Bausch & Lomb Surgical) and MemoryLens IOL (Ciba Vision); within the substance of the optic, as in the SC60B-OUV IOL (MDR) IOL; or a combination of both, as in the AquaSense IOL (OII). [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] However, the overall pattern of opacification within a given IOL design (with all the lenses being manufactured from the same IOL material) was generally the same. In the cases reported here, pathologic analyses suggested the presence of calcium/phosphate as part of the deposit composition and can therefore be considered dystrophic calcification.…”

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] In the cases reported here, no peaks of the silicon element were found on the external surfaces or the internal substance of the explanted IOLs. It has been suggested that the presence of associated conditions, such as diabetes, glaucoma, and uveitis, in patients who had opacification of the IOL optic, may play a role in facilitating dystrophic calcification.…”

“…It has been suggested that the presence of associated conditions, such as diabetes, glaucoma, and uveitis, in patients who had opacification of the IOL optic, may play a role in facilitating dystrophic calcification. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] The process of dystrophic calcification can be facilitated by alkalinization in inflammatory or necrotic tissues as well as ischemia. 17,19,20 In both cases reported here, a significant inflammatory reaction was present postoperatively, with fibrin formation in the anterior chamber.…”

“…The opacification patterns included the formation of surface deposits as well as intralenticular deposition of hydroxyapatite. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22] We present 2 cases of hydrophilic acrylic IOLs (Stabibag and Bigbag, Ioltech) that had to be explanted because of late postoperative opacification of their optic component, causing significant visual symptoms. In both cases, the lens opacification was caused by dystrophic calcification, but the pattern of calcium deposition on the 2 IOLs was different.…”

Late calcific deposition on the hydrophilic acrylic MemoryLens

“…Such reports have led to investigations of the biocompatibility, manufacturing, and packaging of these IOLs, with the development of theories of pathogenesis and subsequent changes in polymer design and packaging. We commend Tehrani et al 1 for their detailed investigation into the nature and cause of late MemoryLens opacification. We report our case to add to the growing literature and encourage similar reports so the incidence of the opacification can be determined and appropriate investigations into the IOL optic composition as well as the manufacturing and packaging processes can be performed, if warranted.…”