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Bacterial adhesion to intraocular lenses
1Croydon Eye Unit, Surrey, England.
Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Bacteria adhere to intraocular lenses (IOLs), causing recurrent inflammation. This study found more bacteria on the IOL haptic than the optic, suggesting contamination during insertion leads to infection.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Microbiology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Recurrent intraocular inflammation has been linked to infections around intraocular lenses (IOLs).
- Bacterial adherence to implanted medical devices can lead to persistent infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bacterial adherence to intraocular lenses (IOLs) in cases of recurrent inflammation.
- To compare bacterial adhesion on different IOL components (haptic vs. optic).
- To determine the source of inflammation associated with IOLs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of explanted intraocular lenses (IOLs) from patients with recurrent inflammation.
- In vitro study to assess bacterial adherence to IOL surfaces.
- Microscopic examination to quantify bacteria on IOL components.
Main Results:
- Bacteria were observed adhering to explanted intraocular lenses (IOLs).
- Significantly more bacteria adhered to the polypropylene haptic compared to the polymethylmethacrylate optic, both in vitro and in vivo.
- Experiments confirmed that initially sterile IOLs attract bacterial adherence preferentially to the haptic.
Conclusions:
- Intraocular lenses (IOLs) can become contaminated with low-virulence commensal organisms during insertion.
- Bacterial adherence to the IOL haptic is a likely source of recurrent intraocular inflammation.
- Targeting bacterial adhesion to the haptic may be a strategy to prevent IOL-associated inflammation.