Modeling monocular form deprivation in rabbits using a simulated-cataract intraocular lens

To establish an animal model of form deprivation amblyopia based on a simulated cataract intraocular lens (IOLs).

Poly(dimethyl siloxane)-SiO₂ thin films (PSF) with different degrees of opacity as IOL materials were prepared. The light transmission of the PSF-IOL was measured, and its in vitro biosafety was determined by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay using the HLEC-B3 cell line and ARPE-19 cell line. Subsequently, the in vivo safety was determined by implanting the PSF-IOL with 10% wt SiO₂ into the right eyes of New Zealand white rabbits (PSF-IOL group), and compared with two control groups: contralateral comparison group and normal control (NC) group (Contralateral comparison group: the fellow eye; NC group: a group of binocular normal rabbits without intervention). The flash visual-evoked potentials (F-VEPs) were measured to verify amblyopia.

PSFs containing 0, 2%, and 10% wt SiO₂ were successfully constructed. The 0 SiO₂ PSF was transparent, while the 10% wt SiO₂ PSF was completely opaque. It was found that PSF did not induce unwanted cytotoxicity in HLECs and ARPE19 cells in vitro. In vitro, PSF-IOL with 10% wt SiO₂ was also non-toxic, and no significant inflammation or structural changes occurred after four weeks of PSF-IOL implantation. Finally, our IOL-simulated congenital cataract rabbit detected by F-VEPs suggested tentative amblyopia.

A PSF-IOL that mimics cataracts is created. A novel form deprivation model is created by the IOL-simulated congenital cataract rabbit. It can be developed fast and stable and holds great potential for future study.