A Comparison of Visual Function with PMMA and Poly HEMA Intraocular Lenses

OBJECTIVE: To compare visual function in the Alcon Iogel 2000s/sm (poly HEMA) and Alcon MZ30BD all polymethymethacrylate (PMMA) posterior chamber intraocular lenses. STUDY DESIGN: Over a 4-month period all patients with 1 of the above lenses were assessed. Patients with coexistent pathology were excluded. All remaining patients had uncomplicated phacoemulsification performed by a single surgeon. SETTING: Lions Eye Institute, Perth, Western Australia. PATIENTS: Forty-eight eyes of 43 patients were examined, 25 poly HEMA and 23 PMMA lenses. OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and glare. RESULTS: Poly HEMA lenses were significantly better than PMMA lenses, visual acuity P = 0.0001, contrast sensitivity P = 0.004 and glare P = 0.019. CONCLUSIONS: The poly HEMA lens performed better than the PMMA lens for all tests of visual function. However modulation transfer function and optical design are similar for both lenses. This result may reflect another in vivo property of the poly HEMA lens. However it would require a larger controlled trial to confirm any differences.