Cellular reaction on the anterior surface of poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the cellular reaction on the anterior surface of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted by phacoemulsification with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) or by extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) with a linear capsulotomy.


METHODS
Cataract and Refractive Surgery Research Unit. Department of Ophthalmology, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, United Kingdom.


METHODS
To document morphology, topography, and severity of the cellular reaction, specular microscopy of the anterior IOL surface was performed at 1 day, 1 week, and 1 and 3 months postoperatively in two parallel groups of 31 consecutive cataractous eyes operated on by phacoemulsification with CCC or by ECCE with a linear capsulotomy.


RESULTS
The local tissue response consisted of a nonspecific foreign-body reaction to the IOL and a lens epithelial cell reaction. The foreign-body reaction was significantly less severe in the phacoemulsification group than in the ECCE group, and the number of IOLs without inflammatory cells was significantly higher.


CONCLUSIONS
The foreign-body reaction to PMMA IOLs is significantly reduced when the lens is implanted by phacoemulsification with CCC. This could be of clinical benefit in high-risk eyes prone to the inflammatory complications of cataract surgery.
Pande
M V
MV
Eye Department, St. Thomas Hospital, United Kingdom.
Spalton
D J
DJ
Kerr-Muir
M G
MG
Marshall
J
J
D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000379:methods*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002452:Cell Count; D015622:Epithelioid Cells / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015743:Giant Cells, Foreign-Body / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008768:Methylmethacrylates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013499:Surface Properties
D008768:Methylmethacrylates