Glistenings in the AcrySof intraocular lens: Pilot study

Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence, severity, and visual significance of glistenings seen in the AcrySof (R) intraocular lens (IOL) and determine whether a large in-depth study of this lens is warranted. Setting: John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Methods: Patients who had the AcrySof IOL implanted at 1 institution over the past 4 years were serially selected. Forty-two eyes that had phacoemulsification with implantation of the AcrySof IOL were evaluated. The examination consisted of visual acuity, glare, contrast sensitivity, and dilated fundus and dilated slitlamp evaluations. Glistenings in the IOL were graded at the slitlamp from trace to 4+. Results: All 42 IOLs had some degree of lenticular glistenings. The glistenings were graded as trace in 27 IOLs (64%), 1 + in 5 (12%), 2+ in 5 (12%), 3+ in 3 (7%), and 4+ in 2 (5%). The Snellen acuity in eyes with severe glistenings (greater than or equal to2+) was one-half line lower than in eyes with mild glistenings (+) (P = .01). In all eyes, the Brightness Acuity Tester score was a little more than one-half line lower than the Snellen acuity, and the difference was 1 full line in eyes with glistenings graded above 2+. Fourteen of 15 IOLs (93%) with glistenings graded greater than trace had been in the eye for more than 1 year. There was no evidence that contrast sensitivity was affected by the glistenings. Conclusions Glistenings occurred frequently in AcrySof IOLs, with most cases mild. A larger study of this lens is needed to determine whether severe presentations affect visual function and to understand how glistenings change over time.