Opacification of the Intraocular Lens After Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty

Abstract

Purpose: To report the incidence of opacification of the intraocular lens (IOL) after Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (DSEK) in an academic ophthalmology clinic.

Methods: In this retrospective case series, all patients who underwent DSEK between 2003 and 2013 were included. In 2008, the first patient presented with reduced vision as a result of opacification of the IOL in our clinic. The period between DSEK surgery and diagnosis of IOL opacification, Snellen corrected distance visual acuity before and after the appearance of IOL opacification, IOL specifications, and incidence of IOL exchange were assessed.

Results: A total of 160 eyes were operated on. Opacification was seen in 8 eyes (5%) and was diagnosed between 4 and 24 months after DSEK (mean, 9.6; SD, 6.3; range, 4-24 months). The mean Snellen corrected distance visual acuity was 0.6 (SD, 0.2; range, 0.2-0.8) before opacification and 0.3 (SD, 0.2; range, 0.02-0.6) after opacification of the IOL occurred. The IOL material was hydrophilic acrylic in all patients. In 4 eyes, IOL exchange was performed.

Conclusions: Opacification of the IOL can be a vision-threatening late complication after DSEK and was seen in 8 of 160 eyes.