Effect of infusion bottle height on lens power after lens refilling with and without a plug

To evaluate the influence of intraoperative infusion bottle height on the power of refilled pig lenses.

Research Laboratory, Pharmacia Intraocular Lens Manufacturing Plant, Groningen, The Netherlands.

This study comprised 2 groups of pig eyes. In 1 group, the lens was refilled with silicone oil using a plug to close the capsulorhexis; in the other group, no plug was used. The anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and vitreous chamber depth were measured by A-scan ultrasound. The total refraction was measured with a Hartinger refractometer. Measurements were performed with the infusion bottle at 0 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm, and 100 cm above eye level. Calculations using a model eye were performed to evaluate the change in lens power based on empirical data.

The mean change in the power of refilled lenses caused by varying the height of the infusion bottle was 1.8 diopters. Lenses refilled with a plug had a thickness similar to that of natural lenses. Lenses refilled without a plug were significantly thinner (P<.05). The power of lenses refilled with a plug was significantly higher that of lenses refilled without a plug (P<.05).

During lens refilling, infusion bottle height influenced the resulting lens power. Using a plug to close the capsulorhexis resulted in refilled lens dimensions similar to those of the natural lens.