Anterior segment OCT application in quantifying posterior capsule opacification severity with varied intraocular lens designs

AIM:To evaluate the application of anterior segmentoptical coherence tomography(AS-OCT)in posterior capsule opacification(PCO)severity assessment and analyse the relationship between PCO severity and intraocular lens(IOL)characters.METHODS:PCO patients were prospectively recruited.Cross-sectional images of the anterior segment at horizontal and vertical meridians were acquired with AS-OCT.The area of the IOL-PC(posterior capsular)space and PCO severity(area,thickness,and density at 3 mm and 5 mm IOL optic regions)were measured.The relationship between PCO severity and visual acuity,comparisons of PCO severity and IOL-PC space using varied IOL designs were analysed.RESULTS:One hundred PCO eyes were enrolled.IOL-PC space,PCO thickness and area were positively correlated with axial length.In addition,PCO area and thickness were positively correlated with visual acuity when it was≤0.52 log MAR.The cut-off level of visual acuity should be 0.52 log MAR.With varied IOL designs,3-piece C haptic IOL showed a smaller PCO area and thickness than the 1-piece 3 haptic IOL and 1-piece 4 haptic IOL.PCO area and thickness values for an IOL with a diameter≤11.0 mm was greater than for an IOL with a diameter of 12.5 mm,and the differences were statistically significant.PCO area and thickness increased when IOL haptic angulation increased(from 0 to 12 degrees).CONCLUSION:In PCO eyes,cut-off level of visual acuity is 0.52 log MAR.With more severe PCO,visual acuity maybenot enough to describe the visual function impairment.PCO severity and IOL-PC space are significantly correlated with axial length and IOL design and material.