title: Melanin-containing hydrogel intraocular lenses: a histopathological study in animal eyes.
abstract: Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogel intraocular lenses, containing adrenochrome-melanin, were manufactured and implanted in animal eyes in order to assess the effect of melanin upon (a) biocompatibility of implants with the eye tissues, and (b) fibrous proliferation of lens epithelium responsible for the opacification of the posterior capsular membrane. An equal number of control lenses were also implanted. The animals were followed up for durations up to two years, and a detailed histopathological examination of the eyes was performed subsequent to their enucleation. The postoperative complications were minor and probably caused by surgical trauma. The study failed to give any indication of the postulated antiproliferative activity of adrenochrome-melanin since minimal capsular opacification occurred in the operated eyes, regardless of the presence of melanin.
authors.affiliation: Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Australia.
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Chirila
authors.forename: I J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Constable
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vijayasekaran
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ben-Hun
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007498:Iris / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008422:Materials Testing; D008543:Melanins / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity*; D008689:Methacrylates; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D008543:Melanins; D008689:Methacrylates; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate