A 1-year study on carbon, titanium surface-modified intraocular lens in rabbit eyes

Purpose: To evaluate biocompatibility of Carbon (C) and Titanum (T) surface modified Polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) Intraocular Lens (IOLs) in pseudophakic rabbit model. Methods: Extracapsule Cataract Extraction (ECCE) and IOLs implantation were performed in Japanese albino rabbit eyes. The white cell concentration from the aqueous humor in the eyes was counted within 3 months post operation. The inflammatory cells in the eyes were noted and graded by slit lamp using a semiquantitive scale up to 1-year post operation. The rabbit eyes were inspected under light microscopy, where pathology of the eyes was caracterized. Results: The white cell concentration in the aqueous humor was significantly attenuated in C and T IOL-implanted eyes compared with PMMA IOL-implanted eyes 1 week post operation. The exudate levels in the anterior ocular chamber and the posterior synechias were significant lower in T IOL-implanted eyes than in PMMA IOL-implanted eyes 1 week and 2 weeks after surgery. The exudate levels in the anterior chambers and the posterior synechias were not significantly different in C IOL-implanted versus PMMA IOL-implanted eyes. Conclusions: This in vivo study provides evidence of effectiveness of Carbon and Titanium IOLs in improving the biocompatibility of PMMA IOLs.