Postoperative diffuse opacification of a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens: analysis of an explant.

PURPOSE: We describe the clinicopathological and ultrastructural features of an opaque single-piece hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) explanted from a patient.

METHOD: The main outcome of this report is the documentation of calcium deposits confirmed by surface analysis. The decrease in visual acuity was due to the opacification of the IOL. The opacification involved both the optic plate and the haptics.

RESULTS: The analysis at the scansion electron microscope revealed that the opacity was caused by the deposition of calcium and phosphate within the lens optic and haptics.

CONCLUSION: This is the first case about the opacification of an Oculentis L-313. The opacification was characterized by calcium and phosphate deposition probably due to a morphological alteration of the posterior surface of the IOL.