Correlation between intraocular lens hydrophilicity and anterior capsule opacification and aqueous flare.
OBJECTIVE
To study the correlation between a basic parameter of intraocular lens biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and two clinical parameters, postoperative inflammation and anterior capsule opacification.


METHODS
Miyake Eye Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.


METHODS
Three combinations of IOLs that were identical in shape but had distinct contact angles of water were used in this prospective double-masked study: (1) experimental comparison of collagen type IV and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOLs in rabbit eyes; (2) clinical comparison of heparin-surface-modified and PMMA IOLs; (3) clinical comparison of three foldable IOLs, silicone, acrylic, and memory. One of the two IOLs being compared in each situation was randomly assigned to both eyes of each animal or patient. At 1 and 3 months postoperatively, the degree of anterior capsule opacification and the amount of flare in the anterior chamber were determined.


RESULTS
In all three comparative situations, greater postoperative inflammation and more rapid anterior capsule opacification was seen in the eyes with hydrophobic IOLs.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a correlation between the hydrophilicity of an IOL and the severity of postoperative inflammation and the speed of anterior capsule opacification.
Miyake
K
K
Shohzankai Medical Foundation, Miyake Eye Hospital, Aichi, Japan.
Ota
I
I
Miyake
S
S
Maekubo
K
K
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000276:immunology*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D018916:Blood-Aqueous Barrier; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology*; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000009:adverse effects
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D006493:Heparin