Comparison of Anterior Capsule Stability Following Implantation of Three Single Piece Acrylic Intraocular Lenses with Different Haptic Design

PURPOSE To compare the anterior capsule contraction and intraocular lens (IOL) decentration among three types of IOL to determine the influence of haptic design on anterior capsule stability. METHODS One hundred fifty patients were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study and 260 eyes underwent implantation of one of the following IOLs: modified L-haptic IOL (n = 74), modified C-haptic IOL (n = 97), or a plate-haptic IOL (n = 89). The area of the anterior capsule opening, IOL decentration, and capsule overlap were measured using retroillumination photospot 1 day and 2 months after cataract surgery. RESULTS The area of capsule opening at postoperative day 1 was significantly different between the three IOLs (p < 0.01). All IOLs showed reduction of the anterior capsule opening from 1 day to 2 months after surgery, and greater reduction was shown in the modified C-haptic IOL (p < 0.001). At postoperative month 2, IOL decentration was significantly different between the IOLs and showed a positive correlation with the mean area reduction during month 2. CONCLUSIONS The degree of anterior capsule contraction and IOL decentration in modified L-haptic IOLs were less than those in modified C-haptic IOLs and comparable to those in plate-haptic IOLs.