Bacterial adhesion to rigid and foldable posterior chamber intraocular lenses: in vitro study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the in vitro bacterial adherence to intraocular lenses (IOLs) routinely used at 1 center.


METHODS
University Hospital of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.


METHODS
Four types of rigid IOLs (hydrophobic poly[methyl methacrylate] [PMMA] and hydrophilic heparin-surface-modified PMMA) and 5 types of foldable intraocular lenses (hydrophobic silicone, hydrophobic acrylic, and hydrophilic acrylic) were used in the experiment. Under standardized conditions, the IOLs were contaminated with 2 strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis. A sonication method and impression method were used for quantification. The mean bacterial density per lens type (colony forming units/mm(2)) was compared.


RESULTS
With both germs and both quantification methods, more bacteria was found on hydrophobic lenses than on IOLs with hydrophilic surfaces (P =.001). The Alcon AcrySof and Askin UV80F IOLs had the greatest and the Corneal Acrygel and Bausch & Lomb Hydroview IOLs the least affinity to these microorganisms.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that hydrophilic IOLs can help reduce the rate of postoperative endophthalmitis as a result of their surface properties.
Schauersberger
Jörg
J
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Vienna, Austria. joerg.schauersberger@akh-wien.ac.at
Amon
Michael
M
Aichinger
Doris
D
Georgopoulos
Apostoulos
A
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000382:microbiology*; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000502:physiology*
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate