Change in light scattering caused by glistenings in hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses from 10 to 15 years after surgery

Purpose To analyze the long-term change in light scattering caused by glistenings in hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and the clinical implications on high-contrast and low-contrast visual acuity. Setting Department of Clinical Sciences/Ophthalmology, Umea University Hospital, Umea, Sweden. Design Prospective longitudinal case series. Methods The study comprised patients who had an Acrysof MA60BM IOL implanted between 1997 and 1998. Light scattering from the IOLs was assessed with digital analysis using Scheimpflug photography (Pentacam HR) from both the 10- year and 15-year follow-up. Associations were made between corrected distance visual acuity, low-contrast visual acuity (LCVA) 10.0%, LCVA 2.5%, and the degree of light scattering from the IOL. Results At the 15-year follow-up, the majority of the 90 patients had an increased amount of light scattering in all parts measured in the IOL than the patients at the 10-year follow-up. A subgroup of 71 patients without coexisting ocular pathology was selected for the visual function analyses. There was no correlation between light scattering and dioptric power. No clinically relevant reduction in visual function was detected in eyes with more pronounced light scattering. Patients with a larger increase in total light scattering of the IOL at the 15-year follow-up had significantly worse LCVA 2.5% than at the 10-year follow-up ( P  = .042). Conclusions Glistenings continued to increase in hydrophobic acrylic IOLs from 10 to 15 years after surgery. At 15 years, most patients had severe glistenings with a high level of light scattering from the IOL. No clinically significant effect on everyday visual function was found. Financial Disclosure Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.