FOI release

Freedom of Information request the number of intraocular lenses of any make or model reported to the MHRA for any reason (FOI-21-388)

Published 28 May 2021

Thank you for your information request, dated 9 April 2021, where you asked for the number of intraocular lenses of any make or model reported to the MHRA for any reason , under the Yellow Card scheme between 1.1.2012 and today’s date.

I am pleased to provide you with the information requested in the table below.

Year 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Total
Reports submitted 32 34 36 187 175 257 313 615 86 21 1756

Data extracted on 20/04/2021 

The data must be read together with the following explanations:     

  • These numbers are accurate at the time they are extracted from our database and minor changes in the numbers can occur if the reporter gives us more details later. 

  • A report does not necessarily represent an individual incident – people may report an incident at any time after the event and people can make multiple reports. Where possible, multiple reports for the same event are linked. However, as reporters are not required to complete all fields, every duplicate cannot always be linked. 

  • These figures include a range of recognised complications related to this type of surgical procedure and do not necessarily indicate a fault with any particular device.

  • The MHRA is aware of the reasons for the rise and subsequent fall in reported incidents involving intraocular lenses over the last 9 years. Appropriate monitoring and intervention by the MHRA took place to address this upturn and ensure any device related concerns were addressed.

The Freedom of Information Act only entitles you access to information – the information supplied is subject to Crown copyright, and there are some restrictions on its re-use. For information on the reproduction or re-use of MHRA information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reproduce-or-re-use-mhra-information/reproduce-or-re-use-mhra-information.

If you have a query about the information provided, please reply to this email.

If you disagree with how we have interpreted the Freedom of Information Act 2000 with regards to your request, you can ask for an internal review. It will be carried out by a senior member of the Agency who was not involved with the original decision. Internal review requests should be submitted within two months of the date you receive this response and addressed to: [email protected].

If you were to remain dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you would have the right to apply directly to the Information Commissioner for a decision. Please bear in mind that the Information Commissioner will not normally review our handling of your request unless you have first contacted us to conduct an internal review.

The Information Commissioner can be contacted online: https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/official-information-concerns-report/official-information-concern/ 

Yours sincerely

MHRA Customer Service Centre

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU