Hydrophobic acrylic versus heparin surface-modified polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lens: a biocompatibility study.
BACKGROUND
The implant of intraocular lenses (IOLs) following cataract surgery induces a foreign-body reaction to the IOL and a response on the part of the lens epithelial cells (LECs). The purpose of this study was to compare these aspects after the implantation of two different IOL materials.


METHODS
Thirty-six cataract patients were randomised to receive two different foldable lens: an acrylic hydrophobic IOL (Acrysof MA30BA) and a heparin surface-modified (HSM) polymethylmethacrylate IOL (Pharmacia & Upjohn 809C) after phacoemulsification. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy with specular technique was used to assess the inflammatory cell adhesion on the anterior IOL surface, anterior capsule opacification (ACO) and membrane growth from the rhexis edge at 7, 30, 90, 180 and 360 days after surgery.


RESULTS
The 809C group showed a higher percentage of patients with slight inflammatory cell adhesion on the anterior cell surface and a higher small cellular density during the whole follow-up period. The epithelioid cell response was greater in the 809C group than the Acrysof group but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. The ACO increased during the follow-up in both groups but was significantly higher in the 809C group.


CONCLUSIONS
Acrysof lenses are more biocompatible than HSM IOLs, showing a lower grade of inflammatory cell adhesion and ACO. The implantation of these lenses may be particularly indicated in patients with pathologies predisposing to blood-aqueous barrier damage.
Tognetto
Daniele
D
Eye Clinic, University of Trieste, Ospedale Maggiore, Piazza Ospedale, 1, 34129 Trieste, Italy. tognetto@univ.trieste.it
Toto
Lisa
L
Minutola
Daniela
D
Ballone
Enzo
E
Di Nicola
Marta
M
Di Mascio
Rocco
R
Ravalico
Giuseppe
G
D000179:Acrylates; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002386:Cataract / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004867:Equipment Design; D005123:Eye / Q000473:pathology; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000473:pathology; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006493:Heparin; D006801:Humans; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013997:Time Factors
D000179:Acrylates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D006493:Heparin; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; C036658:acrylic acid