Refractive stability of a new single-piece hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens and corneal wound repair after implantation using a new automated intraocular lens delivery system

PURPOSE: To investigate refractive stability and characterize corneal incision repair up to 3 months after implantation of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) with hydroxyethylmethacrylate using a new automated IOL delivery system. METHODS: This prospective case series included 50 eyes of 50 patients undergoing phacoemulsification and implantation of the Clareon(®) CNA0T0 IOL using the AutonoMe(®) automated delivery system in the Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University School of Medicine. The clinical data were collected from 46 eyes of 46 patients preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Endothelial-side incision gaping, posterior incision retraction, and Descemet’s membrane detachment were recorded as present or absent using anterior-segment optical coherence tomography postoperatively. RESULTS: The uncorrected distance and corrected distance visual acuities improved and stabilized 1 week postoperatively. The anterior chamber depth was stable from 1 week postoperatively. The subjective refraction was stable from 1 day postoperatively. Descemet’s membrane detachments and endothelial-side wound gaping were seen in 19 (41.3%) eyes and 34 (73.9%) eyes 1 day postoperatively and decreased gradually. Posterior incision retraction was seen in eight eyes (17.4%) on day 1 and increased to 19 eyes (41.3%) 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: The Clareon IOL had excellent refractive stability from day 1 postoperatively. The AutonoMe automated delivery system enables safe IOL implantation through a 2.4-mm corneal incision, although the wound required longer than 1 month to heal postoperatively.