Reduced Silicone Oil Adherence to Silicone Intraocular Lens by Surface Modification with 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphoryl-Choline

Abstract

Purpose: to evaluate and compare the interaction of silicone oil–intraocular lens (IOLs) biomaterial in 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphoryl-choline (MPC) -modified IOLs and various widely used IOLs in vitro.

Methods: Five groups of foldable IOLs, including 3-piece hydrophobic silicone IOLs, MPC-modified silicone IOLs, 3-piece hydrophilic hydrogel IOLs, one-piece hydrophilic acrylic IOLs and one-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOLs were photographed after immersion in silicone oil. The silicone oil coverage of the anterior and posterior surfaces of each IOL was measured using EPCO Image-analysis software. The hydrophilicity of the IOL surface was characterized by the water contact angle.

Results: hydrophilic IOLs, such as MPC-modified silicone IOLs, hydrophilic acrylic IOLs and hydrogel IOLs having a lower contact angle exhibited less silicone oil adherence than hydrophobic IOLs, including both silicone IOLs and hydrophobic acrylic IOLs (p = 0.000, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: MPC-modified hydrophilic silicone IOLs reduce silicone oil adherence, and thus may meet the need of a foldable IOL suitable for vitreoretinal patients.

KEYWORDS::

• Intraocular lens
• Silicone oil
• Bioadhesives
• Surface modification
• Phosphoryl-choline

Declaration of interest: This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 81000372), and Zhejiang Key Innovation Team Project of China (grant no. 2009R50039), and Zhejiang Key Laboratory Fund of China (No.2011E10006). Pacific Edit reviewed the manuscript prior to submission.