Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Scleral Cross-linking Using Riboflavin and Ultraviolet-A Radiation for Prevention of Axial Myopia in a Rabbit Model
Published on: April 3, 2016
Retinal safety of the irradiation delivered to light-adjustable intraocular lenses evaluated in a rabbit model
Liliana Werner1, Wellington Chang, Jonathan Haymore
1John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA. liliana.werner@hsc.utah.edu
Purpose:
To evaluate the safety to the retina of a light-delivery device used to irradiate a light-adjustable intraocular lens (IOL) after implantation in a rabbit model.
Setting:
John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Methods:
In this study, rabbits had phacoemulsification with implantation of an ultraviolet (UV)-filtering light-adjustable IOL (study IOL) in 1 eye and a custom-made silicone IOL without a UV filter (control IOL) in the opposite eye. The study IOLs were irradiated at 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 5.0 times the expected maximum UV irradiation doses and the control IOLs, at 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, and 2.0 times. One week after irradiation, slitlamp and fundus (indirect ophthalmoscopy) examinations were performed. The rabbits were then humanely killed and their eyes enucleated and processed for histopathology.
Results:
The 16 eyes with the study IOL (with UV filter) showed no signs of corneal, anterior segment, or retinal toxicity on histopathologic evaluation. The 16 eyes with the control IOL (no UV filter) also showed no signs of corneal or anterior segment toxicity; however, 3 eyes receiving the higher radiation doses had focal areas of retinal damage consistent with laser burn.
Conclusion:
Pigmented rabbit eyes with a light-adjustable IOL with a UV filter showed no signs of retina toxicity after near-UV light exposure up to 5 times the expected maximum treatment dosage.
Financial Disclosure:
No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned. Additional disclosures are found in the footnotes.
