Is It Possible To Reverse Calcification Of Hydrophilic Intraocular Lenses?

Published 2023 - 41st Congress of the ESCRS

Reference: PO0255 | DOI: 10.82333/2d85-3s08

Authors: Gartaganis Panos* ¹ , Panagiota Natsi ² , Ioannis Kalatzis ² , Theodora Kourassi ² , Sotirios Gartaganis ³ , Petros Koutsoukos ²

¹Department of Ophthalmology,251 Hellenic Airforce General Hospital,Athens,Greece, ²Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry,University of Patras and FORTH-ICEHT,Patras,Greece, ³Department of Ophthalmology,University of Patras, Medical School,Patras,Greece

The goal of this experimental research is to investigate the clarification of calcium in hydrophilic intraocular lenses (IOLs) opacified due to calcification.

1. Department of Ophthalmology, 251 Hellenic Air Force General Hospital, Athens, Greece 2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Patras and FORTH-ICEHT, Greece 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, University of Patras, Greece

Hydrophilic IOLs were opacified in simulated aqueous humor supersaturated with respect to hydroxyapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH, HAP), in a model eye chamber reactor. The process of opacification due to calcification was monitored by microscopy (optical, and scanning electron microscopy). The removal of calcium deposits from opacified hydrophilic IOLs in aqueous humor, undersaturated with respect to HAP at a constant pH of 7.40, 37° C. The dissolution process was monitored until calcium concentration reached plateau value and there was no need for acid addition to maintain pH.

Exposure of HAP deposits on IOLs from calcium phosphate supersaturated solutions, in simulated aqueous humor undersaturated with respect to HAP, resulted in the reduction of the mass of the deposits which in one dissolution cycle exceeded 30%. The higher the coverage, the faster was the rate of dissolution, and the larger the extent of calcific deposits removal. Applying more than one dissolution cycles, increased the degree of dissolution (removal of deposits). Furthermore, the presence of ascorbic acid at concentration levels, comparable to those present in the aqueous humor, accelerated the rate of dissolution and increased the corresponding extent of remaining HAP on the surface of the IOLs.

Calcific deposits on hydrophilic IOLs can be removed by exposure in unsaturated solutions simulating aqueous humor. The higher the undersaturation of the aqueous humor the higher was the elimination of calcium phosphate deposits from the surface of the opacified hydrophilic IOLs. Repeated dissolution cycles, increased significantly the extent of removal of calcific deposits.