Opacification of intraocular lens

Summary Soft hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) are increasingly being used because they can be implanted through small incisions, provide good postoperative vision. However, long‐term postoperative follow‐up has identified various problems, including calcification, glistening and whitening. Calcium deposit on surface of IOLs are sometimes reported about hydrophilic acrylic materials. Calcification reduces the transmission of light and renders the fundus virtually invisible and decrease visual function easily. Glistening has been attributed to water retention in voids of hydrophobic acrylic materials and nonuniformity of polymer network structures. Whitening refers to the clinical appearance from sub surface nano glistenings (SSNG) of reflected white light due to light scattering as light encounters nano sized fluid filled vacuoles that occur at the anterior and posterior IOL surface. With a hydrophobic IOL, the fundus remains visible despite opacification and less effect of visual function. As a result, removal and replacement of IOLs is indicated in only a few cases. However, sever glistening and whitening increased glare and decreased contrast sensitivity.