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Published on: April 6, 2016
An evaluation of the biocompatibility of intraocular lenses
1Department of Ophthalmology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan.
Insights
Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intraocular lenses (IOLs) exhibit superior cell adhesion compared to other materials like silicone. This finding is crucial for assessing IOL biocompatibility and clinical performance.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmic biomaterials science
- Cell biology
- Medical device engineering
Background:
- Cell adhesion to intraocular lenses (IOLs) influences biocompatibility.
- Understanding cell-IOL interactions is vital for improving ophthalmic device design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify and compare cell adhesion to various IOL materials.
- To analyze the morphology of cells adhering to different IOL surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cell culture system with human lens epithelial cells.
- Investigated four IOL material groups: PMMA, heparin surface modified PMMA, surface passivated PMMA, and silicone.
- Employed light and scanning electron microscopy for morphological analysis.
Main Results:
- Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) demonstrated significantly higher cell adhesion than other materials.
- Silicone IOLs showed minimal cell adhesion, with few elongated cells observed.
- Cells adhered uniformly and elongated on PMMA, while other surfaces showed varied adhesion patterns.
Conclusions:
- Surface properties of IOLs critically affect cell adhesion and morphology.
- Differences in cell adhesion are key indicators for evaluating IOL biocompatibility.
- Material selection impacts cellular response, influencing long-term IOL performance.
Background And Objective:
The degree of cell adhesion to intraocular lenses (IOLs) was studied through the cell culture system and the morphology of adhering cells was studied using a light electron microscope and a scanning electron microscope.
Materials And Methods:
Human lens epithelial cells were used as materials. The IOL materials were classified into four groups: polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), heparin surface modified PMMA, surface passivated PMMA, and silicone.
Results:
PMMA showed greater adhesion than did the other materials. Cells hardly adhered to silicone. Use of a light electron microscope and a scanning electron microscope revealed that cells adhered uniformly to the surface of PMMA and were elongated, but did not adhere uniformly to IOLs of other materials. Only a few cells without the tendency of elongation were noted on the silicone the second day after culture. The 14th day after culture, the surfaces of IOLs, except those of silicone, were covered with cells.
Conclusion:
Such differences in the surface adhesion and morphology of cells adhering to the IOL surface are important in evaluating IOL biocompatibility.
