Tinting of intraocular lens implants.
Intraocular lens (IOL) implants of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) lack an important yellow pigment useful as a filter in the visual process and in the protection of the retina from short-wavelength radiant energy. The ability to produce a yellow pigment in the PMMA used in IOL implants by exposure to near-ultraviolet (UV) light was tested. It was found that the highly cross-linked material in Copeland lens blanks was tinted slightly because of this exposure. The absorptive properties of lens blanks treated with near-UV light in this way approached that of the absorptive properties of human lenses. This finding shows that it is possible to alter IOL implants simply so as to induce a pale-yellow pigment in them to improve the visual process and to protect the retinas of IOL users.
D003116:Color; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000592:standards*; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000592:standards; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000592:standards; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control; D012160:Retina / Q000293:injuries; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D010860:Pigments, Biological