Ultraviolet radiation absorption of intraocular lenses☆
First results partly presented as a poster at: American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, October 26–29, 1997; San Francisco.
Received 7 January 2003; accepted 25 August 2003.
Abstract
Objectives
To record and compare the spectral transmittance curves of intraocular lenses (IOLs) made out of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, hydrogel, and silicone from different manufacturers; to evaluate their ultraviolet radiation absorption capacities; and to contrast the recorded transmittance curves with that of the natural lens.
Design
Experimental study.
Methods
We studied 17 different 21-diopter IOLs. A high-performance spectrophotometer with a diffuse transmittance accessory was employed to measure the transmittance of wavelengths from 200 nm to 800 nm through a 1.5-mm aperture.
Main outcome measures
Transmittance percentage and 10% transmittance cutoff wavelength.
Results
All studied IOLs offered good ultraviolet radiation protection in the ultraviolet C (200–280 nm) and ultraviolet B (280–315 nm) ranges. A number of silicone, PMMA, and acrylic lenses showed different and, at times, only low degrees of absorption in the ultraviolet A (315–400 nm) range.
Conclusions
Intraocular lenses of different compositions have ultraviolet radiation absorption characteristics different from that of the crystalline lens.
1Department of Ophthalmology, Essen University, Essen, Germany
ABSTRACT