[Cells on intraocular lenses. Comparison of specular and slit-lamp microscopy findings]

Examination with a specular microscope facilitates diagnostic evaluation of cells on the surface of intraocular lenses. Similarly, slit-lamp examination makes specular microscopic studies possible. However, image resolution and magnification are not achieved by using this method, though the amount of time and instrumental effort is minimal. Various types of cells can be differentiated. Fibroblast-like cells can only be demonstrated readily in the specular areas, whereas multinucleate giant cells can usually also be seen by using focal illumination. It is difficult to differentiate the smaller, mononucleated cells.