Bacterial Buildup on IOLs

[laura5121]

Dr. Hagan:

Is it true that IOLs can become clouded from cell attachments (blood, water, etc.)
which can lead to bacterial buildup, and is there a procedure to avoid this from
happening?

Are there foldable IOLs being used in the U.S. that are specially treated to
resist such buildup on their surfaces?

Are Tecnis IOLs treated to repel this buildup?

Thank you very much.
Laura5121

[cwatt1]

The IOL itself does not become cloudy.  And as I imagine you're aware, PC opacification can be easily taken care of by a YAG laser procedure known as a capsulotomy, where the laser essentially punches a hole in the capsule to allow light to pass through unimpeded.

[ledbrv]

Dr. Hagan,

Just a clarification.
I know that the posterior capsule can get clouded sometimes, in fact, although I have to discuss with my doctor to confirm, it seems that my own RE posterior capsule is getting clouded, but my doubt is, can the IOL itself get clouded ? If it is possible, what would be the possible solutions ?
Thanks in advance.

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

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[laura5121]

Thanks so much for your input.

Laura5121

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

No that is not true. The clouding of the back wall of the lens (posterior capsular opacification) is due to normal growth of the cells that usually produce the lens fibers the lens is made out of.  At surgery we try and scrape them all off but they are dense and tenacious especiallly in middle age people and young.

All IOLs of modern design try and retard these cells from growing out over the capsule and turing cloudy. Tecnis is one such lens. The rate of clouding has dropped from about 75-85% in the early 80's to about 20% now.

JCH MD