Corneal endothelium damage with intraocular lenses: contact adhesion between surgical materials and tissue.

Intraocular lenses destroy corneal endothelial cells by contact adhesion between the acrylic lens and endothelial surfaces during cataract surgery. Glass and rubber surgical glove surfaces produce similar cell damage. This phenomenon may be important in many surgical procedures and appears to be preventable if a hydrophilic polymer interface is interposed between contacting tissue and the surfaces of materials used.