In Vivo Stability of Electronic Intraocular Lens Implant for Corneal Blindness

Electronic technology can add new function to intraocular lenses, including the treatment of corneal blindness. However, it is not known if such an implant can be stably implanted within a living eye over time. This study investigates the long-term stability and safety of an intraocular lens-shaped implant with an embedded electronic microdisplay for potential use in treating corneal blindness.

Five intraocular implants containing a nonfunctional microdisplay and projection optic were surgically implanted into five rabbits after removal of their crystalline lenses. This blocks the natural pathway of light into the eye. The rabbits were monitored over 6 months with photography and biometry to assess the centration and axial stability of the implants.

All implants were successfully implanted and remained stable over the 6-month trial. The average distance from the cornea center was 0.868 ± 0.442 mm at 1 month and 0.851 ± 0.591 mm at 6 months. Anterior chamber depth, representing axial stability, was 4.362 ± 0.213 mm at 1 month and 4.351 ± 0.218 mm at 6 months. While posterior capsular opacification and iris adhesions were observed, no major complications occurred.

This study is the first to demonstrate long-term stability of an intraocular lens-shaped implant containing an electronic display and optical system. These findings suggest that such implants are viable and safe, supporting their potential as a treatment for corneal blindness and other broader applications.

Evidence of safety and stability of electronic intraocular lenses in animals paves the way for the study of this emerging field of medical implants in humans.