Intraocular-lens-endothelial interface: adhesive force measurements.

An instrument for measuring the force of adhesion between intraocular lens materials and the endothelium of excised rabbit corneas was constructed. The adhesion force was measured for polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyhydroxyethylmethacrylate (PHEMA), Duragel (amino-polyamide hydrogel), PMMA surface grafted with polyvinylpyrrolidone, and PMMA surface treated with sodium hyaluronate (Healon). The force of adhesion was reduced considerably when the PMMA surface was modified with a hydrophilic polymer coating. This is consistent with previous studies showing reduced endothelium cell damage for hydrophilic polymer coated intraocular lenses. Adhesive forces were also decreased by addition of polyvinyl alcohol or gelatin to the saline solution in which the corneas were immersed. Extension of this type of measurement to pericardium, vascular endothelium, and peritoneum surfaces may also be important to understand tissue damage problems in general surgery.