Purpose: To prospectively assess the clinical and visual outcomes of phacoemulsification and implantation of a rollable intraocular lens (IOL) with a thin optic and compare the results with those of implantation of a foldable acrylic IOL.
Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan.
Methods: Sixteen consecutive eyes of 8 patients (4 women, 4 men) with corticonuclear cataract had small-incision clear corneal phacoemulsification with implantation of a rollable ThinOptX IOL (ThinOptX Inc.) in the capsular bag. Twenty eyes of 10 age- and sex-matched patients (5 women, 5 men) with the same diagnosis had phacoemulsification and intracapsular implantation of an AcrySof foldable acrylic IOL (MA60BM, Alcon). The patients' refractive status and uncorrected and best corrected distance visual acuities were assessed preoperatively and 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. The uncorrected and best corrected near acuities were measured before and 6 months after surgery. Contrast visual acuity was measured with variable contrast charts 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, and the results in the 2 IOL groups were compared. Anterior segment photography, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, specular microscopy, and fundoscopy were done before surgery and at 1, 3, and 6 months.
Results: The final best corrected distance acuity was better than 20/25 in all eyes with a ThinOptX IOL and 18 eyes (90%) with an AcrySof IOL. The best corrected near acuity was better than 20/40 in 12 eyes (75%) and 14 eyes (70%), respectively. The mean contrast acuity with charts 2 and 3 was significantly higher in the ThinOptX group than in the AcrySof group at all examinations (P<.05). The final mean postoperative induced astigmatism was 0.06 diopter (D) +/- 0.50 (SD) and 0.25 +/- 0.68 D, respectively (P>.05). There were no differences in IOP or corneal endothelial cell density between the 2 groups at any examination. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred.
Conclusions: ThinOptX IOL implantation provided best corrected near and distance visual acuities comparable to those provided by the AcrySof IOLs. The significantly higher contrast acuities attained after implantation of the ThinOptX lens may be attributable to its ultrathin properties.