title: Ultraviolet radiation absorption of intraocular lenses.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To record and compare the spectral transmittance curves of intraocular lenses (IOLs) made out of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, hydrogel, and silicone from different manufacturers; to evaluate their ultraviolet radiation absorption capacities; and to contrast the recorded transmittance curves with that of the natural lens.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied 17 different 21-diopter IOLs. A high-performance spectrophotometer with a diffuse transmittance accessory was employed to measure the transmittance of wavelengths from 200 nm to 800 nm through a 1.5-mm aperture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transmittance percentage and 10% transmittance cutoff wavelength.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All studied IOLs offered good ultraviolet radiation protection in the ultraviolet C (200-280 nm) and ultraviolet B (280-315 nm) ranges. A number of silicone, PMMA, and acrylic lenses showed different and, at times, only low degrees of absorption in the ultraviolet A (315-400 nm) range.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraocular lenses of different compositions have ultraviolet radiation absorption characteristics different from that of the crystalline lens.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Essen University, Essen, Germany. thomas.laube@uni-essen.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laube
authors.forename: Horst
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Apel
authors.forename: Hans-Reinhard
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000180:Acrylic Resins; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000180:Acrylic Resins; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D011102:Polyhydroxyethyl Methacrylate; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate