Fellow-eye comparison of posterior capsule opacification with AcrySof SN60AT and AF-1 YA-60BB blue-blocking intraocular lenses

Purpose

To evaluate intraindividual differences in posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and visual performance of AcrySof SN60AT (Alcon Laboratories) and AF-1 YA-60BB (Hoya Corp.) intraocular lenses (IOLs).

Setting

Ophthalmology Department, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Methods

In this prospective single-surgeon standardized-surgical-procedure fellow-eye comparison, an AcrySof SN60AT or an AF-1 YA-60BB IOL was randomized to the first eye of 36 patients and fellow-eye surgery was performed within 4 to 6 weeks. Follow-up was at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Best distance- corrected logMAR visual acuity was measured at 100% and 9% contrast. Contrast sensitivity was measured using the Functional Acuity Contrast Test (FACT) on the Optec 3500 instrument (Stereo Optical Company, Inc.). Color vision was assessed with the Farnsworth Munsell 100-hue test. After pupil dilation, digital retroillumination photographs were taken and the percentage area of PCO was calculated using POCO software.

Results

Posterior capsule opacification was significantly greater in the AF-1 YA-60BB group than in the AcrySof SN60AT group at all time points (P<.0001), with the difference greatest at 24 months. At 24 months, 100% contrast visual acuity was significantly better in the AcrySof SN60AT group than in the AF-1 YA-60BB group (P = .0313); 9% contrast visual acuity was significantly better in the AcrySof SN60AT group from 6 months onward. There was no significant difference between groups in color vision or contrast sensitivity. Electron microscopy showed the AcrySof SN60AT IOL has a much sharper posterior edge profile.

Conclusions

The AcrySof SN60AT IOL had better PCO performance and thus visual performance than the AF-1 YA-60BB IOL. This is attributable to the differences in optic edge design.