Lens refilling with injectable silicone in rabbit eyes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• The development of intraocular lenses aims to restore vision after cataract surgery.
• Injectable materials for lens capsule refilling offer a potential alternative to traditional intraocular lens implantation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of refilling the lens capsule with injectable silicone in a rabbit model.
• To assess postoperative findings including inflammation, endothelial cell loss, refractive changes, and capsule opacification.

Main Methods:

• Phacoemulsification was performed on 16 rabbit eyes, followed by refilling the lens capsule with 0.2 mL of silicone polymer.
• A silicone plug was used to seal the capsule opening to prevent silicone leakage.
• Surgical success, inflammation, endothelial cell loss, refractive changes, and posterior capsule opacification were monitored.

Main Results:

• Successful lens capsule refilling was achieved in 10 out of 16 eyes.
• Complications included capsule rupture during phacoemulsification and silicone leakage, with postoperative anterior chamber silicone removal required in 3 cases.
• Mean endothelial cell loss was 10.2%, and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) was observed in all eyes after 3 weeks.

Conclusions:

• Lens capsule refilling with silicone polymer, combined with a capsular plug, is a feasible technique that can mitigate leakage complications.
• Refractive changes observed suggest potential for inducing accommodation, although PCO prevention is critical to maintain this effect.