Immunohistochemical study of deposits on intraocular lenses explanted from human eyes.

Immunohistochemical studies of deposits were carried out on two intraocular lenses (IOLs) explanted from human eyes. One anterior chamber intraocular lens (AC-IOL) was studied using a monoclonal anti-human type I collagen-peptide antibody (C-Ab). One posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC-IOL) was studied using a monoclonal anti-human vimentin antibody (V-Ab). Most of the cells on the AC-IOL contained many melanin granules in the cytoplasm and were thought to be macrophages. They did not show any immunoreactivity to C-Ab. Some spindle-shaped cells and fibrous deposits at the margin of the lens optics showed immunoreactivity to the antibody. These cells were thought to be fibroblasts migrating from the tissue around the IOL, such as the iris. On the PC-IOL, many mononuclear cells and multinucleated giant cells were observed. These cells showed immunoreactivity to vimentin and contained immunostained fibers which were intermediate filaments. They were thought to be either of mesodermal origin or derived from the lens epithelium.