Complications and clinical outcomes of intraocular lens exchange in patients with calcified hydrogel lenses

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of intraocular lens (IOL) exchange in patients with calcified hydrogel IOLs. SETTING: Ophthalmology departments of 2 university hospitals in Hong Kong, China. METHODS: Fifteen patients developed loss of vision resulting from calcification of hydrogel IOLs. The calcified IOLs were explanted and replaced with new IOLs. The best corrected visual acuity before and after surgery was measured and compared. RESULTS: The mean visual acuity was 0.03 (range 0.01 to 0.20) before IOL exchange and 0.20 (range 0.01 to 0.50) 3 months after; the difference was significant (P <.001). Acuity improved approximately 5 Snellen lines. Complications included posterior capsule rupture in 2 patients and zonular dehiscence in 3 patients; the secondary IOL was placed in the anterior chamber or ciliary sulcus in these patients. Three patients required cutting of the haptics before the calcified IOL could be removed. CONCLUSION: Intraocular lens exchange was an effective treatment in patients with calcified hydrogel IOLs.