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The effect of hypotensive drops on light absorbance, discoloration, opacification and precipitate formation of intraocular lenses

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First Author: T.Sharon ISRAEL

Co Author(s):    L. Naftali Ben Haim   N. Rabinowicz   Y. Ton   A. Lifshitz Einan   E. Assia   A. Belkin     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To assess the effect of different hypotensive drops on light absorbance, discoloration, opacification and precipitate formation of intraocular lenses (IOLs)

Setting:

This is a prospective laboratory study, conducted in Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel

Methods:

Four types of IOLs (hydrophilic and hydrophobic acrylic) were soaked in solutions containing Brimonidine-tartrate, Brimonidine-tartrate/Timolol-maleate, Dorzolamide, Dorzolamide/Timolol-maleate, Latanoprost and Timolol-maleate. Non-treated IOLs and IOLs soaked in Balanced-Salt-Solution served as controls. All Treated lenses were placed in an oven at 82 degrees Celsius for 120 days (approximating 10 years in 37 degrees according to the Arrhenius equation). The IOLs were examined in a photo-spectrometer to measure light absorbance at 550nm. The IOLs were photographed by a light microscope. Opacification and discoloration were assessed. The presence of precipitates and glistening was documented and quantified using the ImageJ 1.52a software

Results:

95 acrylic-IOLs were included. BSS-soaked IOLs appeared clear without significant discoloration or precipitate-formation. Light absorbance in these lenses was comparable to non-treated IOLs (P>0.05). A difference in absorbance was documented between IOLs soaked in Brimonidine/Timolol, Dorzolamide, Dorzolamide/Timolol and latanoprost compared to control (P<0.03). In a two-way-univariate-analysis, light absorbance differed significantly between the different IOLs. The drops most effecting absorbance differed between IOLs. Gross examination revealed brown discoloration of IOLs Soaked in Dorzolamide and Dorzolamide/Timolol-maleate. Yellow discoloration was observed in hydrophilic IOLs soaked in Brimonidine and brimonidine/Timolol. Precipitates were noted in one type of IOL soaked in Latanoprost.

Conclusions:

Non-diluted hypotensive solutions have an effect on IOL light absorbance, discoloration and precipitate formation in-vitro. This effect seems to be related both to the type of solution and to the type of IOL.

Financial Disclosure:

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