gms | German Medical Science

Purpose: The use of a femtosecond laser to alter the hydrophilicity of targeted areas within an intraocular lens (IOL) creates the ability to build a refractive index shaping lens within an existing IOL. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility (uveal and capsular) of IOL power adjustment by a femtosecond laser.

Methods: Six rabbits underwent phacoemulsification with implantation of a commercially available IOL in both eyes. Postoperative power adjustment was performed using the femtosecond laser 2 weeks following implantation, in one eye of each rabbit. The animals were then followed clinically with slit lamp examination for an additional 4 weeks. The rabbits were then humanely euthanized and the globes were enucleated. The globes were bisected coronally just anterior to the equator and gross examination and photographs from the posterior aspect (Miyake-Apple view) were performed to assess anterior capsular opacification and fibrosis as well as posterior capsular opacification. After IOL explantation for power measurements, the globes were sectioned and processed for standard light microscopy following hemotoxylin and eosin staining.

Results: Slit lamp examination performed after laser treatment showed the formation of small gas bubbles behind the lens, which disappeared within a couple of hours. No postoperative inflammation or toxicity was observed in the treated eyes, and postoperative outcomes, as well as histopathological exams were similar to the non-treated eyes. After explantation, evaluation of the lenses confirmed that the change in power obtained was consistent and within 0.1 diopter of the target.

Conclusion: Consistent and precise power changes can be induced in the optic of commercially available hydrophobic acrylic lenses in vivo, by using a femtosecond laser. Results showed that the laser treatment of the IOLs was biocompatible.

Disclosures: Sean Enright, BS, Ray K. Alley, BSEE, Ruth Sahler, BA, MA are employees of Perfectlens. The other authors received contract research grants from Perfectlens.