The material quality of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens

Abstract

Abstract Background The formation of fluid-filled microvacuoles, termed glistenings, is a common complication of intraocular lenses (IOLs) made from hydrophobic acrylate. Using our well established in-vitro laboratory method, we evaluated a new IOL material’s resistance to glistenings formation. Methods An in-vitro stress test for glistenings induction was performed on twenty samples of hydrophobic acrylic IOLs: ten of the new Eyecryl ASHFY600 (Biotech Vision Care, Ahmedabad, India) compared with ten samples of AcrySof IQ SN60WF (Alcon, Fort Worth, USA). The number of microvacuoles per square millimetre (MV/mm 2 ) was evaluated in five sections of each IOL. The results for each model were compared and rated on the Miyata Scale for grading glistening severity. Results In all cases, glistenings number was higher in the central section of the IOL optic than in the periphery. Mean number of MV/mm 2 was highest in the central part of the AcrySof IQ SN60WF, with 41.84 (±27.67) MVs/mm 2 . The lowest number of glistenings was found in the five sections of the Eyecryl ASHFY600 with 0.52 (±0.24) MVs/mm 2 . Mean value of the Eyecryl ASHFY600 IOL, using the Miyata Scale, was Zero. Conclusion In this in-vitro laboratory study, the new hydrophobic acrylic IOL showed a high resistance to microvacuole formation. In clinical use, one can confidently expect glistenings numbers will be low and clinically irrelevant in the Eyecryl ASHFY600.