Transient intraocular lens opacification during phacoemulsification surgery

[Intraoperative opacification of a scleral-fixated Carlevale (Soleko®) intraocular lens]

Thermal shock can cause intraoperative opacification of a Carlevale (Soleko®) implant. This is a rare phenomenon which resolves spontaneously. It is crucial to recognise this phenomenon in order to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful explantation decisions for the patient.

Transient Clouding of a Sutureless Scleral Fixated Hydrophilic Intraocular Lens with Spontaneous Resolution: A Case Report and in vitro Experimental Test

A 83-year-old woman underwent phacoemulsification in the left eye, complicated by posterior capsular rupture and dislocation of nuclear fragments in the vitreous cavity. She was left aphakic and referred to the Clinica Oculistica, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, Udine, Italy. After 2 days, she underwent pars plana vitrectomy, with removal of the nuclear fragments, and secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The lens used was a sutureless scleral fixation Carlevale lens (I71 FIL SSF Carlevale lens™. Soleko IOL Division), which was delivered to the operating theatre on the morning of the operation. During the implantation, it appeared opaque, without any deposit on its surfaces. The lens was not removed. On the next day, the lens was transparent, and it remained clear at the following control visits. An in vitro experimental test demonstrated that 25% hydrophilic polymers are vulnerable to thermal shock, developing an opacification which resolves after temperature stabilization of the lens.