Opacification of hydrophilic intraocular lens after multiple injections of bevacizumab

Abstract

In the literature various causes of opacification of hydrophilic lenses have been described. Pronounced opacity is a complication that must be taken seriously because it can lead to explantation or exchange of the intraocular lens (IOL). The calcification of hydrophilic IOLs is often made responsible for an explantation. Despite the rapidly increasing number of intravitreal injections, they have so far not been associated with opacification of lenses. This article reports on a female patient where opacification of the hydrophilic lens was obviously associated with multiple intravitreal injections over several years. It involved a secondary calcification with calcium phosphate deposition directly under the surface of the IOL. Possible pathomechanisms are discussed. Due to the increasing number of intravitreal injections the association with IOL opacity should be further evaluated in the future. Generally, with hydrophilic lens materials it must be taken into consideration that these can become opaque following diverse interventions.