[Intraocular lens as a drug delivery device].

The development of an intraocular lens (IOL) as a drug delivery device has been the purpose of numerous preclinical studies and might become a future technology in cataract surgery. There are three techniques of pharmacological IOL modification: surface modification (coating), optic modification (soaking) or haptic modification with a slow-release-system. The therapeutic goals are endophthalmitis, postoperative inflammation and posterior capsule opacification.