Abstract
To investigate the influence of intraocular lens subsurface nanoglistenings (SSNGs) on functional visual acuity (FVA), thirty-nine eyes of 29 patients were examined in this study. The SSNG group comprised 19 eyes of 14 patients (75.7± 5.4 years, mean ± standard deviation), and the control group comprised 20 eyes of 15 patients (73.6 ± 6.5 years). The SSNGs were diagnosed on the basis of the typical whitish IOL appearance upon slit-lamp examination and results of densitometry regarding surface light scattering using Scheimpflug images. The FVA measurement system (AS-28; Kowa, Aichi, Japan) was used to examine changes in continuous visual acuity (VA) over time, and visual function parameters such as FVA, visual maintenance ratio (VMR), maximum VA, minimum VA, standard deviation of VA, and number of blinks were assessed. The results were compared between the SSNG and control groups, and correlations of FVA parameters with the intensity of surface light scattering, time after surgery, and age were also evaluated. There were significant differences in VMR (P = 0.035) and standard deviation of VAs (P = 0.031) between the two groups, although no significant differences were found in baseline VA, FVA, maximum VA, minimum VA, and number of blinks. None of the FVA parameters showed any significant correlations with the intensity of surface light scattering, time after surgery, or age. There is a possibility that VA is unstable during a continuous gazing task in patients with SSNGs.
Highlights
Over time, particular types of hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) develop a white, opaque appearance because of an increase in light scattering on their surface [1, 2]
The intensity of surface light scattering reportedly increases during the years following the IOL implantation [2, 6]; clinicians fear that patients with this particular condition may suffer decreased visual function
There was no significant difference in age Baseline visual acuity (VA) functional visual acuity (FVA) visual maintenance ratio (VMR)
Summary
Particular types of hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) develop a white, opaque appearance because of an increase in light scattering on their surface [1, 2]. Ong et al [3] observed hydration-related vacuoles up to 120 μm from the surface of these IOLs; the vacuoles have diameters less than 200 nm and are known as subsurface nanoglistenings (SSNGs). The main cause of these phenomena is thought to be water aggregation in the surface layer, which in turn results from phase separation [4, 5]. The intensity of surface light scattering reportedly increases during the years following the IOL implantation [2, 6]; clinicians fear that patients with this particular condition may suffer decreased visual function.
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