• Users Online: 55608
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page

   Table of Contents      
CASE REPORT
Year : 2018  |  Volume : 66  |  Issue : 6  |  Page : 858-860

Anterior segment optical coherence tomography of intraocular lens opacification


1 Department of Ophthalmology, ICARE Eye Hospital and Postgraduate Institute, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
2 Department of Pathology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India

Date of Submission26-Nov-2017
Date of Acceptance13-Feb-2018
Date of Web Publication22-May-2018

Correspondence Address:
Dr. Neha Goel
D-91, Anand Niketan, New Delhi 110021
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/ijo.IJO_1172_17

Rights and Permissions
  Abstract 


Postoperative opacification of a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) is an uncommon complication. A 57-year-old diabetic female who had undergone phacoemulsification with IOL implantation in her right eye 16 years back presented with diminution of vision in the same eye for 3 years. Significant IOL opacification was observed clinically and anterior segment optical coherence tomography clearly delineated the intraoptic deposits, sparing the haptics, and edges of the optic. IOL explant and exchange was performed leading to restoration of visual acuity to 6/9. Histochemical evaluation of the IOL confirmed that the hydrophilic acrylic IOL optic had calcium deposits.

Keywords: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography, calcium deposits, hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens, intraocular lens opacification


How to cite this article:
Choudhry S, Goel N, Mehta A, Mahajan N. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography of intraocular lens opacification. Indian J Ophthalmol 2018;66:858-60

How to cite this URL:
Choudhry S, Goel N, Mehta A, Mahajan N. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography of intraocular lens opacification. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 2018 [cited 2024 Mar 29];66:858-60. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?2018/66/6/858/232829



Intraocular lens (IOL) opacification is a rare phenomenon that can cause significant visual deterioration, especially in hydrophilic acrylic IOLs and may necessitate IOL explantation. While careful slit-lamp examination can identify this entity, misdiagnosis can lead to unnecessary procedures such as neodymium: YAG (Nd: YAG) capsulotomy and vitrectomy.[1] We describe a case of delayed postoperative IOL opacification that necessitated IOL explantation and exchange.


  Case Report Top


A 57-year-old diabetic female presented with decreased vision in her right eye for 3 years. She had undergone phacoemulsification with IOL implantation 16 years back elsewhere, of which no records were available. There was no documented history of uveitis.

Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was the perception of light positive and accurate projection of rays in the right eye. Milky white opalescence of the IOL resembling a cataract was observed on slit-lamp examination [Figure 1]. There was no anterior chamber reaction. Intraocular pressure was 16 mmHg on Goldmann applanation tonometry. The fundus was not visible; ultrasound B scan was unremarkable. The left eye had a BCVA of 6/6 with a completely transparent IOL and normal fundus.
Figure 1: Slit-lamp photograph of the right eye showing milky white opalescence of the intraocular lens implant

Click here to view


Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) of the right eye performed using RTVue SD-OCT (Optovue Inc, Fremont, CA) showed a ring of hyperreflectance beneath the anterior surface and in front of the posterior surface of the IOL optic, with a clear zone in between. The internal structure of the IOL showed no signs of abnormal reflectance [Figure 2].
Figure 2: Anterior segment optical coherence tomography through the intraocular lens demonstrating a ring of hyperreflectivity with a clear area beneath the anterior surface of the intraocular lens confirming the presence of intraoptic deposits

Click here to view


After written informed consent, IOL explantation was carried out after bisecting it into two halves, through a superior 4-mm clear corneal incision and a 3-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL (AcrySof, Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX) was implanted into the capsular bag. BCVA improved to 6/9 N6 postoperatively. Gross analysis of the IOL revealed that it was a single-piece hydrophilic acrylic foldable IOL, also known as a hydrogel lens. A round area of opacification was noted confined to the IOL optic with clear optic edges and haptics [Figure 3]a. Histochemical staining was done to ascertain the nature of the deposits leading to opacification and they stained positive for calcium by Von Kossa method in a distribution akin to the AS-OCT image [Figure 3]b.
Figure 3: (a) Gross photograph of the explanted intraocular lens showing well-circumscribed opacification confined to central 4 mm of the optic. (b) Histologic sagittal section of the intraocular lens optic showing the deposits staining positive (dark brown – black) with the Von Kossa method confirming their composition of calcium. The distribution corresponded to the hyperreflectivity on anterior segment optical coherence tomography

Click here to view



  Discussion Top


Calcium is the most common cause of IOL opacification, especially in hydrophilic IOLs.[2] Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, uveitis, postoperative inflammation, and intraocular calcium concentration.[2],[3] The opacification usually has a late onset, maybe severe and is irreversible.[2] Two types of delayed postoperative opacification have been described in hydrophilic acrylic IOLs. The first consists of IOL optic opacification due to calcium precipitates on the IOL surfaces. This has been described in the Hydroview IOL (Bausch and Lomb, Rochester, NY)[4] and the MemoryLens (CIBA Vision, Duluth, GA).[3] The second comprises fine granular calcium deposits within the substance of the IOL optic, sparing the portion just beneath the anterior surface and in front of the posterior surface of the lens optic, the haptics as well as the edge of the optic. This is the more severe degree of opacification and has been associated with the single-piece hydrophilic acrylic IOL manufactured by Medical Developmental Research, Inc.(Clearwater, FL).[5] Our case likely belongs to the second group, and this was clearly demonstrated on preoperative AS-OCT [Figure 2].

It is important to differentiate IOL opacification from posterior capsule opacification (PCO) or anterior lens epithelial cell proliferation. Nd: YAG laser has been performed in some cases to “clean” the optical surfaces, without success, resulting in pitting of the IOL. Excessive Nd: YAG laser treatment could also jeopardize “in-the-bag” implantation of a new lens following explantation of the opacified IOL.[6] Misdiagnosis of IOL opacification as vitreous haze or hemorrhage has also been described and may lead to unnecessary vitrectomy.[1] Furthermore, while fully developed calcification can be evaluated by routine examination, slight calcification may not be apparent.[7]

In vitro analysis of explanted IOLs has been performed using AS-OCT and concluded that very superficial changes cannot be clearly differentiated from the overall outline of the IOL surface, however, AS-OCT maybe helpful in assessing the presence, location and density of intraoptic changes, and avoiding misdiagnosis.[8] This is one of the few clinicopathological reports of AS-OCT evaluation of delayed postoperative IOL opacification. The intraoptic calcification of the hydrophilic acrylic IOL could be well imaged by AS-OCT as hyperreflectivity and corroborated with the sagittal section of the explanted IOL following histochemical staining. This appearance has not been elaborated previously. The first case report on AS-OCT in two calcified hydrophilic IOLs demonstrated high reflectivity on the anterior and posterior IOL surfaces; however, histopathological evaluation of the explanted IOLs was not mentioned.[7] A similar picture was described in the only other recent case report; they also demonstrated an irregularity on the posterior IOL surface using AS-OCT that was hypothesized to lead to calcium and phosphate deposition by altering the normal IOL architecture.[9]


  Conclusion Top


To conclude, this report describes the role of AS-OCT in detecting intraoptic calcification leading to IOL opacification. Use of this modality for in vivo evaluation of opacified IOLs may prevent potentially avoidable procedures with their antecedent risks. A careful follow-up of diabetes patients implanted with hydrophilic acrylic lenses is also to be emphasized.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.



 
  References Top

1.
Haymore J, Zaidman G, Werner L, Mamalis N, Hamilton S, Cook J, et al. Misdiagnosis of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens optic opacification: Report of 8 cases with the memoryLens. Ophthalmology 2007;114:1689-95.  Back to cited text no. 1
[PUBMED]    
2.
Werner L. Causes of intraocular lens opacification or discoloration. J Cataract Refract Surg 2007;33:713-26.  Back to cited text no. 2
[PUBMED]    
3.
Neuhann IM, Werner L, Izak AM, Pandey SK, Kleinmann G, Mamalis N, et al. Late postoperative opacification of a hydrophilic acrylic (hydrogel) intraocular lens: A clinicopathological analysis of 106 explants. Ophthalmology 2004;111:2094-101.  Back to cited text no. 3
[PUBMED]    
4.
Werner L, Apple DJ, Escobar-Gomez M, Ohrström A, Crayford BB, Bianchi R, et al. Postoperative deposition of calcium on the surfaces of a hydrogel intraocular lens. Ophthalmology 2000;107:2179-85.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Werner L, Apple DJ, Kaskaloglu M, Pandey SK. Dense opacification of the optical component of a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens: A clinicopathological analysis of 9 explanted lenses. J Cataract Refract Surg 2001;27:1485-92.  Back to cited text no. 5
[PUBMED]    
6.
Izak AM, Werner L, Pandey SK, Apple DJ. Calcification of modern foldable hydrogel intraocular lens designs. Eye (Lond) 2003;17:393-406.  Back to cited text no. 6
[PUBMED]    
7.
Hatou S, Inoue M, Kurosaka D, Hida YR, Shinoda K, Oguchi Y, et al. Evaluation of calcification of a hydrogel intraocular lens by optical coherence tomography. J Cataract Refract Surg 2004;30:1590-2.  Back to cited text no. 7
    
8.
Werner L, Michelson J, Ollerton A, Leishman L, Bodnar Z. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography in the assessment of postoperative intraocular lens optic changes. J Cataract Refract Surg 2012;38:1077-85.  Back to cited text no. 8
[PUBMED]    
9.
Cavallini GM, Volante V, Campi L, De Maria M, Fornasari E, Urso G, et al. Postoperative diffuse opacification of a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens: Analysis of an explant. Int Ophthalmol 2017. [Epub ahead of print].  Back to cited text no. 9
    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]


This article has been cited by
1 674 Cases of Late Postoperative Intraocular Lens Opacification of a Hydrophilic-Hydrophobic Acryl Intraocular Lens in Switzerland and Retrospective Opacification Risk Factor Assessment of 212 Cases
Tabea Amon, David Goldblum, Peter Meyer, Peter M. Maloca, Justus Garweg, Christian Pruente, Frank Sachers, Theo Signer, Gabriele Thumann, Pascal W. Hasler
Klinische Monatsblätter für Augenheilkunde. 2023; 240(04): 440
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
2 Anterior segment optical coherence tomography in a case of intraocular lens opacification
N Sandhya, V G Namitha
Kerala Journal of Ophthalmology. 2023; 35(3): 310
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
3 A Review of Posterior Capsular Opacification
Jasraj Singh Bhangra
CRO (Clinical & Refractive Optometry) Journal. 2023;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
4 The effect of hypotensive drugs on intraocular lenses clarity
Tal Sharon, Liron Naftali Ben Haim, Noa Rabinowicz, Debora Kidron, Arnon Kidron, Yokrat Ton, Adi Einan-Lifshitz, Ehud I. Assia, Avner Belkin
Eye. 2022;
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
5 Visual and Refractive Outcomes Following Exchange of an Opacified Multifocal Intraocular Lens
Stephen A Stewart, Richard N McNeely, Wing C Chan, Jonathan E Moore
Clinical Ophthalmology. 2022; Volume 16: 1883
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
6 A review of late intraocular lens opacifications
Piotr Kanclerz, Timur M. Yildirim, Ramin Khoramnia
Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 2021; 32(1): 31
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
7 Systematic review of potential causes of intraocular lens opacification
Joaquín Fernández, Alicia Sánchez-García, Manuel Rodríguez-Vallejo, David P. Piñero
Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology. 2020; 48(1): 89
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
8 Comparison of fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography and optical coherence tomography angiography features of macular changes in Eales disease: a case series
Ketaki Rajurkar, Meenakshi Thakar, Priyadarshi Gupta, Anju Rastogi
Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection. 2020; 10(1)
[Pubmed] | [DOI]
9 Subsurface calcification of hydrophilic refractive multifocal intraocular lenses with a hydrophobic surface
Seung Pil Bang, Kun Moon, Jong-Ho Lee, Jong Hwa Jun, Choun-Ki Joo
Medicine. 2019; 98(50): e18379
[Pubmed] | [DOI]



 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
 Related articles
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
Abstract
Case Report
Discussion
Conclusion
References
Article Figures

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed2040    
    Printed40    
    Emailed0    
    PDF Downloaded249    
    Comments [Add]    
    Cited by others 9    

Recommend this journal