May 26, 2004
Environmental factors and IOL opacification
Eyeworld May 2004
Based on a laboratory analysis using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, the manufacturer of the lenses determined the cloudiness was related to IOL changes caused by molecules called terpenes and ketones .Intraocular lenses can absorb aerosolized chemicals inside their unopened packages,” . “These chemicals are capable of producing unexpected changes in IOLs that may impact how the lenses behave when exposed to the aqueous environment of the eye Silicone lenses are normally hydrophobic, with a water content of less than 1%, . A change in the surface characteristics could lead to a lens that is relatively more hydrophilic. Influx of aqueous within the lens would then lead to cloudiness.Although calcium deposits have been described in the past few years as a cause for whitish lens opacification, that was certainly not the cause of lens cloudiness for these IOLs, Werner said.“If the medical facility in question needs to be sprayed with aerosolized disinfectants, insecticides, cleaning solutions, or other volatile chemicals, IOL packages should be removed from the area while this is done, as sprays may be inadvertently introducing chemicals through the package and onto the lenses,”All IOLs also should be stored in a dry environment and at room temperature, Werner said.
Posted by mehdi khanlari at May 26, 2004 05:01 PM