The Relationship between the Adhesion Characteristics of Acrylic Intraocular Lens Materials and Posterior Capsule Opacification

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between the adhesion characteristics of similarly designed hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) and posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Methods: Three similarly shaped hydrophobic acrylic IOLs with a sharp-edged optic were used. Adhesive force of IOLs was measured with a tackiness tester. Human lens epithelial cells (LECs) were grown on each IOL for 48 h. LECs were then stained with crystal violet, which served as an index of the amount of cells attached to IOLs. Cellular migration and proliferation assays were performed using chamber inserts containing a collagen membrane. After 96 h of incubation, the collagen membranes were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for analysis. Three similarly shaped IOLs were implanted in rabbits. The eyes were enucleated 3 weeks later and analyzed for PCO area. Results: Hydrophobic acrylic IOLs were classified into three groups: A (less adhesive), B (moderately) and C (highly). The migration area of LECs on the collagen membrane was 5.65 ± 4.5% in group A, 2.83 ± 2.1% in group B, and 1.41 ± 1.5% in group C, with a significant difference between groups A and C (p < 0.05). The mean percentage area of PCO in the rabbit eye was 19.4 ± 16.7% in group A, 17.5 ± 8.5% in group B, and 5.5 ± 3.8% in group C, with a significant difference between groups A and C (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adhesive force of hydrophobic acrylic IOLs may play an important role in preventing PCO. Among the similarly shaped hydrophobic acrylic IOLs, IOLs of highly adhesive material inhibited LEC migration and PCO more than IOLs of less adhesive material.