[A new material for intraocular implant].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our study was to evaluate a new fluorocarbon (Teflon AF), used as a coating of poly-methylmethacrylate intraocular lenses. Teflon AF can be dissolved in special solvents (liquid fluorocarbons). It is the first amorphous and transparent form of teflon.


METHODS
The coating was performed and the surface quality of the teflon-coated lenses was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Twenty teflon-coated and 10 uncoated lenses were implanted in rabbit eyes after phacoemulsification. They were compared concerning the presence of iris-lens synechias and the number of deposits on the lens' surfaces. An in vitro static touch model was used to compare endothelial damage produced by the 2 kinds of intraocular lenses. The results from this model were quantitatively analyzed, using the BIOCOM 200 image-processing system.


RESULTS
The teflon group had no iris-lens synechias and the control group had 2 extensive synechias. There were significantly fewer deposits on the surfaces of teflon-coated lenses on days 30 and 60 post-operatively (P < 0.0001) than on the control lenses. Teflon-coated lenses produced significantly less endothelial damage than did control lenses (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Teflon AF presents an anti-adhesive effect that increases the biocompatibility of polymethylmethacrylate lenses and reduces endothelial damage during their intraocular insertion.
Legeais
J M
JM
INSERM U 86, Hôtel-Dieu de Paris, Paris.
Werner
L
L
Briat
B
B
Renard
G
G
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000473:pathology; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene
Un nouveau matériau pour implant intraoculaire.