Preventing secondary cataract and anterior capsule contraction by modification of intraocular lenses

Advances in intraocular lens (IOL) design have led to the use of lenses with improved performance including tinting, asphericity, multifocality and accommodation. To maximize the visual performance of these IOLs, postoperative complications such as secondary cataracts and anterior capsule contraction must be prevented. Various types of secondary cataracts may occur, each associated with complex biological reactions. Different design configurations, including square-edge IOLs, have been used to prevent secondary cataracts and anterior capsule contraction, but these have not been successful in sufficiently eliminating these complications. We have found that surface modification of IOL surfaces chemically improves surface quality and is also useful in preventing secondary cataracts and anterior capsule contraction. The UV/ozone treatment that we used as a surface modification method is a simple and highly effective method with no safety issues regarding materials following treatment. The combination of square-edge design and surface modification may be able to completely eliminate these postoperative complications.