Posterior capsule opacification prevention by an intraocular lens incorporating a micropatterned membrane on the posterior surface.

PURPOSE

To evaluate posterior capsule opacification (PCO) with a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) featuring a new micropatterned membrane, in comparison with a commercially available 1-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOL.

SETTING

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

STUDY DESIGN

Experimental study.

METHODS

Twelve New Zealand rabbits had bilateral phacoemulsification and implantation of a ClearSight unpatterned IOL (Group 1), a ClearSight Sharklet-patterned IOL (Group 2), or a control, commercially available IOL (Group 3) (8 IOLs in each group). Slit-lamp examination was performed weekly for 4 weeks. The rabbits were then killed humanely, and their globes enucleated. Capsular bag opacification was assessed from the Miyake-Apple view, and the eyes underwent histopathology.

RESULTS

The mean postmortem central PCO was 1.87 ± 1.35 in Group 1, 1.06 ± 1.23 in Group 2, and 3.14 ± 0.89 in Group 3. Peripheral PCO was 2.18 ± 1.36 in Group 1, 1.5 ± 1.03 in Group 2, and 3.57 ± 0.53 in Group 3. When comparing central and peripheral PCO between Groups 1 and 3, the difference was not statistically significant, but it was statistically significant between Groups 2 and 3 (P = .003 and P = .0003, t test with Bonferroni correction).

CONCLUSIONS

Unique discontinuous features comprising the micropattern allow for focal adhesions to be precisely guided and therefore controlling cell migration. The patterned membrane incorporated on the posterior surface of the IOL significantly reduced capsular bag opacification compared with a commercially available control IOL.