Correlations between aqueous flare and cells and lens surface cytology in eyes with poly(methyl methacrylate) and heparin-surface-modified intraocular lenses.

A prospective, single-surgeon study was performed on 59 patients randomized to receive a poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lens or a heparin-surface-modified lens after standardized endocapsular cataract surgery with a routine postoperative regimen. The anterior chamber laser flare and cell measurements and the cellular reaction on the anterior lens surface were monitored for a year following surgery. This report examines the correlations between the anterior chamber flare and cell reaction and the anterior IOL surface cellular reaction. The findings suggest that the early postoperative blood-aqueous barrier breakdown is primarily caused by surgical trauma; by one month the blood-aqueous barrier function is determined by inflammatory mediators released by small monocyte-derived cells on the IOL surface. Giant cells on the IOL surface did not correlate with aqueous flare, which suggests an insignificant capacity to release inflammatory mediators.