Misdiagnosis of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens optic opacification: report of 8 cases with the MemoryLens

Abstract

Purpose: To report 8 patients with misdiagnosis of MemoryLens intraocular lens (IOL) late postoperative calcification and the resulting potentially avoidable procedures leading to secondary complications.

Design: Retrospective interventional case series.

Participants: Eight patients with an opacified hydrophilic acrylic MemoryLens.

Methods: Eight cases of MemoryLens IOL opacification that were originally misdiagnosed were reviewed. The following parameters were noted: baseline patient characteristics, time frame of IOL opacification, original misdiagnosis, subsequent surgical procedures, and postexplantation outcomes and complications. Two explanted lenses from this series were available for laboratory analyses. They underwent gross and light microscopic evaluation and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS).

Main outcome measures: Patient parameters noted above. The IOLs were examined for distribution, structure, and composition of the deposits causing opacification of their optic components.

Results: All 8 patients' IOLs were implanted between August 1999 and March 2000. Complaints of decreased visual function occurred 13 to 58 months after implantation. Half of the patients were initially diagnosed as having posterior capsular opacification and underwent neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser capsulotomy. The other half were initially diagnosed with some form of vitreous involvement and underwent vitrectomies. Six of the 8 patients underwent subsequent lens exchanges, with 3 of them having postexchange complications including endophthalmitis, cystoid macular edema, and retinal detachment. Scanning electron microscopy with EDS confirmed the presence of calcified deposits on the surface of the 2 explants available for analysis. The deposits also stained positive for calcium.

Conclusions: Despite previous reports, misdiagnosis of MemoryLens IOL calcification leading to optic opacification still occurs. Not recognizing this process can lead to potentially avoidable surgical procedures and increased risk of complications after repeated interventions.