Posterior capsule striae are the typical consequence of phacoemulsification; the data of their influence on visual acuity is still contradictory.
PURPOSE
To estimate the influence of posterior capsule striae on visual acuity within one year after implantation of three models of acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs).
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Seventy-two patients (91 eyes) were followed up for 12 months after implantation of one of models of IOLs: MIOL-2 (24 eyes, first group), SA60AT and US60MP (41 and 26 eyes, second and third groups, respectively). The condition of posterior capsule striae was evaluated using photos processed with the EPCO (Evaluation of Posterior Capsular Opacification) software. Primary and secondary striae were registered.
RESULTS
Primary posterior capsule striae appeared in 33.3%, 24.4% and 38.5% of cases after surgery in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups, respectively (p>0.05, pairwise comparison) and disappeared during the first week after surgery. Secondary striae appeared starting with month 3 of the follow-up in 8.33%, 7.69% and 13% of cases in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd groups, respectively (p>0.05, pairwise comparison) and did not change after that. Both types of striae provided the way for ingrowth of lens epithelium and posterior capsule opacification. After summarizing the eyes from all groups, only secondary striae decreased visual acuity significantly by month 12 of the follow-up.
CONCLUSION
Both primary and secondary posterior capsule striae appear with comparable frequency after implantation of MIOL-2, SA60AT and US60MP; they disappear in 50% of cases one week after surgery. Both types of striae decrease visual acuity after 12 months.