[Lens biomaterials for cataract surgery]

The first lens implantations were performed by Sir Harold Ridley in 1949 using rigid poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) lenses. This biomaterial was used exclusively for more than 30 years. In the early 1970s, Charles Kelman introduced phacoemulsification, reducing the incision size and beginning biomaterial diversification, including foldable materials. More than 50 years after the introduction of PMMA, the range of biomaterials used for intraocular lenses remains extremely limited. Among the materials tested, acrylic polymers and silicon elastomeres are the only remaining materials used for optics. In vivo tolerance is no longer the sole criterion in choosing biomaterials: clinical performance now plays a major role, including injection abilities, optical qualities, and long-term postoperative intraocular behavior. Together with lens design, the analysis of the physical and chemical characteristics of biomaterials will contribute to the choice of the best intraocular lens.