Intraocular polyimide intraocular lens haptic breakage long-term postoperatively.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Presents two cases of three-piece silicone intraocular lenses (IOLs) featuring polyimide haptics.
• Highlights the importance of long-term biocompatibility studies for intraocular lens materials.

Observation:

• In the first case, an IOL implanted after posterior capsule rupture was explanted due to bullous keratopathy; its polyimide haptics shattered during manipulation.
• In the second case, an IOL initially implanted in-the-bag dislocated 15 years later due to spontaneous haptic breakage.
• Both explanted IOLs exhibited brittle haptics that fractured further upon manipulation for microscopy.

Findings:

• Scanning electron microscopy revealed no degradation of the polyimide haptics.
• Microscopic examination showed smooth surfaces with jagged fracture edges, indicating brittle failure.
• The observed haptic breakage occurred in situ without apparent surface degradation.

Implications:

• Suggests a potential long-term issue with polyimide haptic material leading to brittle fracture in silicone IOLs.
• Underscores the need for further investigation into the long-term performance and biocompatibility of polyimide in intraocular devices.
• May inform future IOL material selection and design to prevent late-stage complications.