Evaluation of a new single-piece 4% water content hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens in the rabbit model.

PURPOSE

To evaluate uveal and capsular biocompatibility of a 1-piece intraocular lens (IOL) manufactured from a new hydrophobic acrylic material that incorporates a barrier step at the optic-haptic junctions.

SETTING

John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

DESIGN

Experimental study.

METHODS

The study IOL (Eternity-Uni W-60) was implanted in the right eyes of 5 New Zealand rabbits and the control IOL (Acrysof SN60WF) in the left eyes. Slitlamp examination was performed 1 through 4 weeks postoperatively. After death, the globes were enucleated and fixed in formalin. Capsular bag opacification scoring (Miyake-Apple view) was then performed followed by complete histopathology.

RESULTS

At the 4-week examination, the mean posterior capsule opacification (PCO) score was 1.5 ± 1.0 (SD) in the study group and 2.2 ± 1.09 in the control group (P=.02). Anterior capsule opacification (ACO) was not present in the study eyes and was mild in the control eyes. On gross examination, the mean central PCO score was 0.9 ± 0.65 in the study group and 1.7 ± 1.20 in the control group (P=.07); the mean peripheral PCO score was 1.3 ± 0.67 and 2.4 ± 1.14 (P=.01) and the mean Soemmerring ring score was 3.8 ± 0.44 and 4.2 ± 1.09, respectively (P=.47). Histopathology confirmed that both IOLs were equally tolerated by the rabbit eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

In this rabbit study, the new hydrophobic acrylic material was biocompatible. The barrier step incorporated to the optic-haptic junctions has the potential to enhance PCO prevention.