To compare neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser capsulotomy rates between hydrophobic and hydrophilic intraocular lenses.

The present retrospective study enrolled patients who received cataract surgery from a single surgeon between July 2006 to December 2009. Patients included in the study were implanted with SA60AT hydrophobic spherical intraocular lenses (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX, USA, 268 eyes) or I-FLEX hydrophilic spheric intraocular lenses (i-Medical®, Ophthalmic International Heidelberg GmbH, Mannheim, Germany, 331 eyes). The Nd:YAG capsulotomy rates and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared between the two groups for 2 years after the operation.

The mean follow-up period was 23.5 months and 22.6 months and the mean age was 68.6 years and 70.3 years in the SA60AT and I-FLEX groups, respectively. Follow-up periods were longer in the SA60AT group ( p = 0.035), but ages were not significantly different between the two groups ( p = 0.367). Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy rates were 6.3% in the SA60AT group and 11.2% in the I-FLEX group. Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy rates were significantly higher in the I-FLEX group ( p = 0.020). BCVA before and after the Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy was not significantly different.

Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy rates were higher in the I-FLEX hydrophilic spheric intraocular lens group than in the SA60AT hydrophilic spheric intraocular lens group. Adhesion between capsular bag and intraocular lens by bioadhesive character of hydrophobic acryl intraocular lens may contribute to the prevention of lens epithelial migration and posterior capsule opacification.