The effects of drug delivery via hydrophilic acrylic (hydrogel) intraocular lens systems on the epithelial cells in culture.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Secondary posterior subcapsular opacification is still among the most important complications after phacoemulsification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was designed to assess the inhibitory effects of drugs delivered via hydrophilic acrylic (hydrogel) intraocular lens (IOL) systems in vitro. Lens epithelial cells were collected from albino rabbits. The following seven groups of hydrogel IOLs were prepared: untreated IOLs and IOLs infiltrated with diclofenac sodium, tranilast, mitomycin C, colchicines, 5-fluorouracil, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The IOLs were fixed to a Cell Culture Insert; they were then bathed and incubated in minimum essential medium containing cultured lens epithelial cells. Subsequently, a comparative analysis of the cells adhering to the collagen membrane and the lens surfaces was conducted. RESULTS: Adhesion of lens epithelial cells to the lens surfaces and the collagen membrane was observed in the control group. However, only slight cellular adhesion was found on the surfaces of the IOLs and on the collagen membrane in the treated IOL groups. CONCLUSION: Use of hydrogel IOLs infiltrated with drugs was associated with inhibition of posterior subcapsular opacification in vitro.

Photoprotective effect of yellow-tinted intraocular lenses.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to experimentally investigate changes in visible light-induced photo-oxidation and to evaluate the inhibitory effect of various acrylic tinted intraocular lenses (IOLs) on photooxidation. METHODS: Three types of nontinted (VA-60BB, HOYA; SA60AT, Alcon; AU-6, Menicon) and tinted (YA-60BB, HOYA; SN60AT, Alcon; AN-6, Menicon) IOLs were used. In the first experiment, we investigated oxidation related to ultraviolet rays by using a mixed solution of reduced glutathione, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and glutathione reductase. The mixed glutathione solution was irradiated for 30, 60, or 90 min with direct artificial sunlight or artificial sunlight that had been passed through various IOLs. Oxidation was detected at 340 nm. In the second experiment, human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were prepared and cultured in a 96-well dish until confluent. After light exposure for 30 min or 48 h, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels of the culture supernatant were measured to assess the amount of cell damage. RESULTS: Visible light-induced glutathione oxidation progressed over time. Intraocular lenses inhibited photooxidation, with the inhibitory effect shown to increase when tinted IOLs were used. LDH levels in RPE cells increased as a result of exposure to visible light. There was a higher increase in LDH with nontinted than with tinted IOLs. CONCLUSION: Visible light causes photooxidation, which damages intraocular tissue in vitro. These results suggest that tinted IOLs effectively inhibit tissue damage from visible light.