Calcification of intraocular hydrogel lens: evidence of dystrophic calcification.
OBJECTIVE
To report and describe the surface calcification of three cases of implanted intraocular hydrogel lens.


METHODS
Three surgically extracted hydrogel intraocular lenses were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy as well as by energy dispersion X-ray microanalysis.


RESULTS
The lens surfaces were covered by granular deposits of calcium phosphate, clearly delineated by von Kossa and alizarin stains for calcium. Transmission electron microscopy showed the deposits to be located within the superficial lens material to a depth of 7 microm and to be associated with what appear to be traces of cellular material including basement membrane and plasmalemma. To the authors' knowledge there has been only one other transmission electron microscopic study. Energy dispersion X-ray microanalysis showed the deposits to contain calcium and phosphorous in all cases.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms and extends the previous reports of five cases of calcification of hydrogel intraocular lenses. The exact mechanism of calcification remains obscure but evidence suggesting cell-mediated dystrophic calcification of the lens surface is presented. Further study is required to monitor the incidence and development of this phenomenon.
Yong
Jim L C
JL
Department of Anatomical Pathology, South Western Area Pathology Service, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia. jim.yong@swsahs.nsw.gov.au
Lertsumitkul
Somsak
S
Killingsworth
Murray C
MC
Filipic
Marijan
M
D000368:Aged; D001485:Basement Membrane / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D020878:Device Removal; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods
D002130:Calcium Phosphates; D010710:Phosphates; C020243:calcium phosphate; D002118:Calcium