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Methylmethacrylate monomer in intraocular lenses of polymethylmethacrylate. Cellular toxicity
Abstract:
Tissue cultures of secondary rabbit kidney cells were grown in maintenance medium containing varying concentrations of methylmethacrylate monomer from 5% to 0.05%. No pathologic changes were observed in those tissue cultures containing 0.1% or less monomer as compared to controls. Data from previous studies on the rate of elution of monomer from polymethylmethacrylate and from published studies of aqueous humor dynamics indicate that the monomer level in intraocular lenses will be less than the concentration toxic to living cells in tissue culture.
Insights
Methylmethacrylate monomer at concentrations of 0.1% or less showed no toxic effects on rabbit kidney cell tissue cultures. This suggests intraocular lenses made with this material are safe for ocular implantation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomaterials Science
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Polymethylmethacrylate is widely used in intraocular lens (IOL) implants.
- Concerns exist regarding the potential toxicity of residual methylmethacrylate monomer leaching from IOLs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of methylmethacrylate monomer on rabbit kidney cell cultures.
- To determine the safety threshold of methylmethacrylate monomer in a cellular context.
Main Methods:
- Rabbit kidney cells were cultured in media with varying methylmethacrylate monomer concentrations (5% to 0.05%).
- Cell cultures were monitored for pathologic changes compared to control groups.
Main Results:
- No significant pathologic changes were observed in cell cultures exposed to 0.1% or less methylmethacrylate monomer.
- Higher concentrations of the monomer induced observable cellular damage.
Conclusions:
- Methylmethacrylate monomer concentrations of 0.1% or lower are not cytotoxic to rabbit kidney cells in vitro.
- Elution data and aqueous humor dynamics suggest in vivo monomer levels will remain below toxic thresholds for IOLs.