Effect of heparin-surface-modified poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses on the postoperative inflammation in an Asian population.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of heparin-surface-modified (HSM), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) with that of unmodified PMMA IOLs in reducing postoperative complications caused by inflammatory reactions after extracapsular cataract extraction in an Asian population.


METHODS
Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.


METHODS
In a randomized, double-blind study performed at two centers, 51 patients received an HSM PMMA lens and 48, an unmodified PMMA IOL. Cell and pigment deposits were evaluated by slitlamp at 1 to 6 days, 2 to 3 weeks, and 3 to 6 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
Significantly more eyes with unmodified IOLs had inflammatory cell deposits than those with HSM IOLs at 3 to 6 months (P < .001) and 12 to 14 months (P = .018) postoperatively. The HSM group also had significantly fewer cell deposits per patient at these two follow-ups. Significantly more eyes in the non-HSM group had pigment deposits 3 to 6 months after surgery (P = .049). One year postoperatively, about 85% of patients in both groups had a best corrected visual acuity of 0.5 or better.


CONCLUSIONS
Heparin surface modification significantly reduced the inflammatory response to PMMA IOLs in an Asian population for at least 12 to 14 months.
Lai
Y K
YK
Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Fan
R F
RF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014792:Visual Acuity
D008768:Methylmethacrylates; D006493:Heparin