Effect of 3-piece AcrySof and downsized heparin-surface-modified poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses in infant rabbit eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate after-cataract formation, ocular growth, and intraocular lens (IOL) behavior in lensectomized infant rabbit eyes implanted with a downsized heparin-surface-modified poly(methyl methacrylate) (HSM PMMA) IOL with long haptics or a 3-piece AcrySof(R) IOL (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.).

SETTING

St. Erik's Eye Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.

METHODS

Clear lens extraction was performed in both eyes of 3-week-old rabbits. In Group 1 (n = 9), a downsized HSM PMMA IOL with long haptics was implanted in 1 eye and in Group 2 (n = 9), a 3-piece AcrySof IOL was implanted in 1 eye. The fellow eyes remained aphakic.

RESULTS

The amount of after-cataract was significantly less in the eyes with the IOLs than in the aphakic eyes. The eyes with the HSM PMMA IOL had significantly less after-cataract than those with the AcrySof IOL. No significant difference in axial length was noted between the IOL eyes and the aphakic eyes in either group. In the eyes with the 3-piece AcrySof IOL, there was anterior movement of the optic with occlusion of the pupil.

CONCLUSIONS

Eyes with the HSM PMMA IOL and the AcrySof IOL had less after-cataract than the aphakic eyes. The HSM PMMA IOL, however, inhibited after-cataract production significantly better than the AcrySof IOL. The 3-piece AcrySof IOL was seriously deformed in the infant rabbit eyes and caused occlusion of the pupil. Surgeons should be cautious in implanting this AcrySof IOL in the eyes of newborns or in eyes with severe microphthalmia.