Hydrophobic Surface Properties Of Hydrophilic Acrylic Intraocular Lenses Cannot Prevent Opacification Due To Calcification

The objective of the present study was to investigate whether hydrophobic surface properties of hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) can prevent IOL opacification due to late postoperative calcification.

Opacification through calcification of hydrophilic acrylic IOLs is a serious complication of cataract surgery. In the process of calcification, the lens material plays a crucial role: calcification only occurs in hydrophilic acrylic IOLs. Hydrophobic acrylic IOLs show no crystal formation within the polymer. Hydrophilic acrylic IOLs from some manufacturers have hydrophobic surface properties. The question arises as to what influence these surface properties have on the risk of calcification.

Using an electrophoretic in vitro model of calcification, two hydrophilic lens models with hydrophobic surface properties were compared under standardized conditions with two hydrophilic lens models and a hydrophobic negative control to determine the risk of calcification. The IOLs were then analyzed by optical microscopy, Alizarin Red and Von Kossa staining, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX).

All four hydrophilic lens models showed calcification caused by of calcium phosphate crystals forming on the surface and within the IOL polymer. No difference was found between the hydrophilic IOLs and the hydrophilic IOLs with hydrophobic surface properties in terms of calcification. The hydrophobic negative control showed no signs of calcification.

The investigation conducted in this study was able to show that hydrophobic surface properties of hydrophilic acrylic IOLs do not protect against calcification. There is also a risk of opacification due to calcification in these lens models.