Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic lenses are two opposite lens used for similar purpose. Both have their own benefits and downsides and this article will comprehensively talk about A-Z of these lenses. Hydrophobic lenses repel water or aqueous fluid and don’t let these fluids accumulate in or around it. On the contrary Hydrophilic lenses remain drenched with fluids. They are exactly what their name suggests them to be.
Which one is better?
Hydrophilic lens is comparatively easier to implant. But this parameter doesn’t justify the purpose of the lens. Hydrophilic lens attracts aqueous fluid which means that the colloids suspended in the aqueous fluid deposit faster on these lenses. It has been observed that hydrophilic IOLs are more susceptible to PCO or Posterior capsule opacification, i.e. the formation of an opaque layer on lens. This is also called secondary cataract. Let’s know more about PCO and how to deal with it!
What is Posterior Capsule Opacification?
PCO is the formation of an opaque layer on the posterior of the lens that results in significant decrease in visual quality. This condition arises due to the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of lens epithelial cells that cover up the posterior capsule of the lens.
Who are at the risks of developing PCO?
It’s absurd but true! The risk factor of developing PCO is high for young age population. For older adults, their comorbidity factors put them in potential risk of getting PCO. Factors like diabetes, uveitis, retinitis pigmentosa, and myotonic dystrophy can increase the plausibility of getting PCO. PCO is characterised by the development of blurry vision, deteriorating visual acuity, or even falling colour determination ability. Some patients suffer with blurred vision, decreased vision, glare, light sensitivity, halos around lights, or even difficulty reading. But don’t worry; this issue can easily be diagnosed by slit lamp test which reveals a semi-opaque membrane with variable levels of fibrosis forming on the lens.
Signs and Symptoms of PCO
PCOs show up as Elsching’s pearls which look like clear perls on illumination. Soemmering rings are another form of POC that unlike Elsching’s pearls don’t cause visual loss d=straightaway. They accumulate in periphery instead of middle.
Conclusion: It has been observed that patients with hydrophilic IOLs are at higher risk of developing calcification and POC. Hydrophobic IOLs are much better than Hydrophilic IOLs. We recommend the reduced use of Hydrophilic IOLs and recommend hydrophobic ones over them.