Intraocular Lens Transient Opacification Due to Temperature Change During Phacoemulsification and IOL Implantation Surgery: An Interesting Experience

Purpose: To report an interesting case of intraoperative opacification of IOL. Methods: This study is a report of a 61-year-old male patient who suffered from nuclear sclerosis cataract and was undergone phacoemulsification surgery. During the surgery intraoperative opacification of IOL (Cristal, Cristalens), which was a foldable, 13 mm, one piece, square edge and hydrophilic acrylic IOL, was occurred. This phenomenon caused a surprise and a decision to explant the IOL, but the surgeon decided to keep the IOL inplace and after a day it was completely clear. Results: The surgery was completed successfully without any complications and the IOL cleared finally. Conclusion: Different causes such as the patient’s related conditions, the manufacturing course, and the process of IOL storage, the surgical technique, or sometimes a combination of these factors may lead to clinically significant opacification or discoloration of the optic element of intraocular lenses (IOLs) produced from different materials which are occured intraoperatively or postoperatively. Sometimes temperature changes may cause IOL discoloration. All of the discolored IOLs should not be explanted