Potential Refractive Error Due to Axial Displacement of Intraocular Lenses with Clinically Relevant Compression Diameters.

Purpose: To compare the mechanical stability and associated potential refractive error (RE) of 9 different intraocular lens (IOL) models using compression diameters that are aligned with published clinical mean capsular bag diameters (CBD). Setting: Research Laboratory. Design: Prospective, non-randomized, in vitro bench testing using physiological conditions. Methods: Single-piece acrylic IOLs (3-5 per model) were tested for axial displacement, optic decentration, optic tilt, and haptic compression force at both 9-mm and 10-mm compression diameters under simulated physiological conditions. Potential RE was calculated based on the mean axial displacement observed and using a schematic eye model. Results: The three different Clareon optical models had statistically equivalent results, confirming that mechanical stability performance is not affected by the optical design. At 9-mm compression, the measured axial displacement values of the Clareon models were significantly lower than the 6 other models assessed (P < 0.05). At both diameters, the haptic compression force for Clareon was statistically lower than 5 of the other models (P < 0.05). Between the two compression diameters, there were substantial increases in axial displacement and haptic compression force for some of the IOL models. There were no statistical differences among the IOL models studied with respect to either optic decentration or optic tilt. Conclusion: Clareon IOL models had lower levels of axial displacement, compression force and potential RE. Refractive errors may occur with those IOL models that show significant axial displacement with compression, especially in short eyes.