Hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens optic and haptics opacification in a diabetic patient: Bilateral case report and clinicopathologic correlation

To report clinicopathologic and ultrastructural features of two opacified single-piece hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) explanted from a diabetic patient. Interventional case report with clinicopathologic correlation. A 64-year-old white female underwent phacoemulsification and implantation of a single-piece hydrophilic acrylic lens (SC60B-OUV; Medical Developmental Research, Inc., Clear Water, FL) in October 1998 in the left eye and in July 1999 in the right eye. The best-corrected visual acuity after surgery was 20/60 in the left eye and 20/50 in the right eye. The patient had a marked decrease in visual acuity in June 2000 as a result of a milky, white opalescence of both lenses. Intraocular lens explantation and exchange was performed in both eyes and the explanted IOLs were submitted to our center for detailed pathologic, histochemical, and ultrastructural evaluation. They were stained with alizarin red and the von Kossa method for calcium, and also underwent scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive radiograph spectroscopy to ascertain the nature of the deposits leading to opacification. Documentation of calcium deposits confirmed by histochemical stains and surface analyses. Opacification of the IOL was found to be the cause of decreased visual acuity. The opacification involved both the IOL optic and the haptics in the left eye and was confined to the IOL optic in the right eye. Histochemical and ultrastructural analyses revealed that the opacity was caused by deposition of calcium and phosphate within the lens optic and haptics. There are two features that distinguish this case from those reported earlier. This is the first clinicopathologic report of lens opacification that has involved completely the lens optic and the haptics. Second, these two explanted IOLs document the first bilateral case. This process of intraoptic and haptic opacification represents dystrophic calcification of unknown cause. Diabetic patients appear to be more severely and more often affected by lens opacification. Long-term follow-up of diabetic patients implanted with this IOL design should be maintained by surgeons and manufacturers.