Chemoattraction of inflammatory cells by various intraocular lens materials.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the chemotactic activity induced by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, and silicone intraocular lens (IOL) materials, regardless of the surgical and host factors.


METHODS
The chemotactic effect of five different IOLs was studied using a modified multi-well Boyden chamber. Two different non-coated PMMA IOLs, a heparin-coated PMMA IOL, an acrylic IOL, and a silicone IOL were assessed. Each mean migration distance of the IOLs was compared with the others using Student's t test.


RESULTS
All IOLs induced some amount of leukocyte chemotaxis. There was no statistically significant difference between the chemotactic activity of PMMA IOLs. However, chemotactic activity was significantly higher in acrylic (p<0.05) and silicone (p<0.05) IOLs compared to one of the PMMA lenses.


CONCLUSIONS
This limited study has proven that chemotaxis assay is a useful tool to assess the biocompatibility of IOLs. The IOL material itself might attract inflammatory cells to its surface in the absence of surgical and host factors. As PMMA IOLs do not cause an increase in inflammatory reaction, they may be considered safe to use. Further improvement in chemical composition and surface characteristics of IOLs should reduce the inflammatory reaction and increase the biocompatibility and safety of IOLs.
Ozdal
Pinar C
PC
Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada. pozdal@hotmail.com
Antecka
Emilia
E
Baines
Malcolm G
MG
Vianna
Raul N G
RN
Rudzinski
Marcello
M
Deschênes
Jean
J
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D002634:Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; D012826:Silicone Elastomers
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D012826:Silicone Elastomers; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate