Evaluation of cellular adhesions on silicone and poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses in monkey eyes: an electron microscopic study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the biocompatibility of intraocular lens (IOL) material by studying the number of cells adhering to IOLs in monkey eyes.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.


METHODS
Silicone or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) IOL implantation was performed in 21 monkeys. One eye of each animal had surgery. The IOL-implanted eyes were enucleated 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days and 1, 3, 4, 5, and 9 months after the procedure. One eye was studied at each time. Cells on the anterior IOL surface were photographed using a scanning electron microscope, counted and assessed with NEC, Graphtec, and Nikon equipment, and then observed using a transmission electron microscope.


RESULTS
Leukocytes, macrophages, and giant cells were found on the anterior IOL surface. Numerous cells were observed on the PMMA IOLs in the early postoperative period; they gradually decreased. Few cells were seen on the silicone IOLs during the course of the study. The giant cells became larger during the postoperative period.


CONCLUSIONS
The foreign-body reaction to silicone IOLs in monkey eyes was less than that to PMMA IOLs.
Ohnishi
Y
Y
Department of Ophthalmology Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan.
Yoshitomi
T
T
Sakamoto
T
T
Fujisawa
K
K
Ishibashi
T
T
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002452:Cell Count; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000473:pathology*; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008252:Macaca fascicularis; D008264:Macrophages / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D012826:Silicone Elastomers
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate