A comparison of posterior capsular opacification after implantation of three different hydrophobic square edge intraocular lenses

PURPOSE: To compare the posterior capsular opacification (PCO) after implantation of three types of hydrophobic square edge intraocular lenses (IOLs). METHODS: A single-center, hospital-based, cross-sectional, observational study was conducted wherein patients with senile cataract who had undergone phacoemulsification by a single surgeon, with the implantation of three different types of square edge, hydrophobic IOLs [Group 1: enVista, Bausch and Lomb; Group 2: Tecnis 1 ZCBOO, AMO and Group 3: Acrysof IQ SN60WF, Alcon], and followed up for 12 months were included. The PCO was graded clinically and scored using the EPCO 2000 software. RESULTS: 90 eyes of 90 patients were included. There was no significant difference in the PCO with respect to age, gender, or associated presence of systemic disease. The median PCO score was 0.035, 0.045 and 0.085 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The PCO grade and score differences between the groups were statistically significant with P < 0.001. CONCLUSION: The hydrophobic nature and posterior square edge design in the IOLs probably contributed to the minimal visually-significant PCO in all the groups, in our study. However, PCO scores were lesser in the square edge IOLs having a continuous 360 degrees posterior enhanced barrier, than those without this feature.