Neodymium: YAG capsulotomy rates after phacoemulsification with hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate the incidence of neodymium: YAG (ND:YAG) laser capsulotomies for posterior capsule opacification (PCO) seen with hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens implants 18 months after surgery. METHODS One hundred and five eyes that had phacoemulsification with a continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and implantation of either a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic acrylic posterior chamber IOL were evaluated in order to assess the incidence of PCO. Fifty-six eyes received a hydrophobic IOL (Acrysof-Alcon) and forty-nine eyes received a hydrophilic IOL (Galand-Visional). A standardized surgical protocol was performed by a single surgeon. All surgical complications were excluded and all patients had standardized postoperative medication and follow-up. RESULTS With an average follow-up of 18 months in both groups, the incidence of posterior Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy for PCO was 8.9% in the hydrophobic group and 24.4% in the hydrophilic group, respectively (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Intraocular lenses made from hydrophobic acrylic material are associated with a significantly reduced rate of Nd:YAG laser capsulotomies as compared with intraocular lenses made from hydrophilic acrylic material.