Folding procedure for acrylic intraocular lenses

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Microbiology

Background:

• Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are crucial for vision restoration after cataract surgery.
• Proper handling and insertion of IOLs are essential to prevent complications.
• Surface characteristics of IOLs can influence bacterial adhesion and postoperative infection risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the in vitro effects of two standard IOL folding methods (forceps vs. injector) on acrylic IOL surface characteristics.
• To evaluate the impact of these folding methods on bacterial adhesion using Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Main Methods:

• Acrylic IOLs were either not folded, folded with forceps, or folded with an injector.
• Surface morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
• Bacterial adhesion was quantified by counting viable Pseudomonas aeruginosa on IOL surfaces.

Main Results:

• Forceps-folding resulted in significant surface marks and scratches on the IOL optic.
• Injector-folded IOLs exhibited minimal surface alterations.
• Significantly higher bacterial adhesion was observed on forceps-folded IOLs compared to injector-folded or nonfolded IOLs.

Conclusions:

• Forceps-folding of acrylic IOLs induces surface irregularities that enhance bacterial adhesion.
• Injector-folding appears to be a safer method, preserving IOL surface integrity and reducing bacterial contamination.
• These findings highlight the importance of IOL handling techniques in preventing postoperative endophthalmitis.