Hydrophilic Acrylic versus PMMA Intraocular Lens Implantation in Pediatric Cataract Surgery

PURPOSE: To compare primary implantation of foldable hydrophilic acrylic with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) in pediatric cataract surgery in terms of short-term complications and visual outcomes. METHODS: This randomized clinical trial included 40 eyes of 31 consecutive pediatric patients aged 1 to 6 years with unilateral or bilateral congenital cataracts undergoing cataract surgery with primary IOL implantation. Two types of IOLs including foldable hydrophilic acrylic and rigid PMMA were randomly implanted in the capsular bag during surgery. Primary posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy were performed in all eyes. Patients were followed for at least 1 year. Intra- and postoperative complications, visual outcomes and refractive errors were compared between the study groups. RESULTS: Mean age was 3.2±1.8 years in the hydrophilic acrylic group and 3.7±1.3 years in the PMMA group. Mean follow-up period was 19.6±5 (12–29) months. No intraoperative complication occurred in any group. Postoperative uveitis was seen in 2 (10%) eyes in the acrylic group versus 5 (25%) eyes in the PMMA group (P=0.40). Other postoperative complications including pigment deposition (30%), iridocorneal adhesions (10%) and posterior synechiae formation (10%), were seen only in the PMMA group. The visual axis remained completely clear and visual outcomes were generally favorable and comparable in the study groups. CONCLUSION: In pediatric eyes undergoing lensectomy with primary posterior capsulotomy and anterior vitrectomy, hydrophilic acrylic IOLs are comparable to PMMA IOLs in terms of biocompatibility and visual axis clarity, and seem to entail less frequent postoperative complications.