Common Reasons for IOL Explants Analyzed
In recent analysis involving 200 IOLs, the most common reason for IOL explantation was calcification. Interestingly, luxation, a leading cause of explant in prior studies, was seen in less than 8% of cases in this analysis. Results were presented by Timur M. Yildirim, MD, of the department of ophthalmology at the University of Heidelberg in Germany, during the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery’s 2018 annual meeting in Washington, DC.
IOLs were submitted after explantation (after an average of ~5.5 years) in 2016 and 2017. Investigators employed histological staining to identify deposits on and within the IOL. Some of the lenses were also analyzed via scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Among the results:
- Postop IOL calcification led to 144 explanted lenses.
- The remainder were due to luxation, patient dissatisfaction, or formation of a cataract.
- No explants occurred because of inflammation.
- 115 IOLs were from a single manufacturer.
Yildirim T. Analysis of 200 explanted IOLs: Reasons and risk profile. Talk presented at: 2018 ASCRS-ASOA Annual Meeting; April 13-17, 2018; Washington, DC.
