Influence of different acrylic intraocular lens materials on optical quality of vision in pseudophakic eyes

PURPOSE: To analyze the effect of hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) material on the optical quality in pseudophakic eyes with a clear posterior capsule and assess in vitro forward light scatter of these IOLs. SETTING: St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom. DESIGN: Comparative case series. METHODS: Eyes with a hydrophobic or hydrophilic acrylic IOL and a clear posterior capsule within the central 4.0 mm at least 3 months postoperatively were identified from 2 ongoing studies. Data on 100% and 9% logMAR corrected distance visual acuities (CDVA) and total eye aberrations with a 4.0 mm pupil were collected. The 10% and 50% point-spread function (PSF) values of double-pass measurements were collected. In vitro forward light scattering was analyzed for the IOL models using a standardized laboratory technique. RESULTS: Twenty-eight eyes had hydrophilic IOLs, and 43 had hydrophobic IOLs. There was no significant difference in IOL power, postoperative spherical equivalent, or 100% logMAR CDVA between hydrophilic IOLs and hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. Nine percent logMAR CDVA (P=.000), 10% PSF (P=.005), 50% PSF (P=.008), and Zernike polynomial 4 (P=.000) were significantly different between the IOL groups. Although in vitro forward-scatter levels were low in both groups, hydrophilic IOLs had more forward scatter. CONCLUSIONS: Hydrophobic acrylic IOLs gave better low contrast visual acuity. Even within the acrylic subgroup, the optical quality varied significantly. The IOL material is an important factor influencing the optical quality of vision with different acrylic IOLs.