Posters

Comparison of the bioanalogic IOL material WIGEL® with various IOL materials

Poster Details

First Author: J.Kopriva CZECH REPUBLIC

Co Author(s):    V. Stoy   E. Adamusova                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

WIGEL® is a bioanalogic synthetic polymethacrylate hydrogel with fixed negative charge developed specifically for long-term ophthalmic implants. WIGEL® is now used for production of bioanalogic polyfocal intraocular lens WIOL-CF®. The aim of the current study is to compare this proprietary material with different materials used in IOL manufacturing; namely with hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic, silicone and Collamer.

Setting:

WIGEL® was compared in vitro with standard IOL materials – hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic, PMMA, silicone and Collamer, which is another hydrogel developed specifically for long-term ophthalmic implants. Comparison was made on basis of refractive index, water content and interaction of material with human cultured fibroblasts.

Methods:

The water content and refractive index were determined for all materials using gravimetry and refractometry. Selected materials were tested for in-vitro interaction with cultured human fibroblast cells. The cell viability in the vicinity of the materials and adhesion, spreading and proliferation of the cells to the surface was evaluated.

Results:

The refractive index (RI) of WIGEL® was 1.43, which is similar to Collamer but lower than the RI of other IOL materials tested in this study. The equilibrium water content of WIGEL® material was higher than in other IOL materials. The in-vitro cytotoxicity of WIGEL® is comparable to other IOL materials but fibroblasts adhere much less to the surface of WIGEL® than to other materials. Fibroblast spreading and proliferation was most pronounced on the hydrophilic acrylate, very low on Collamer and almost zero on WIGEL®.

Conclusions:

This study demonstrated that RI of WIGEL® is more similar to the effective RI of human crystalline lens than RI of most other tested materials. In contrast to some other tested IOL materials, WIGEL® is highly resistant to cells attachment, spreading and proliferation on its surface. This is the underlying reason for WIGEL’s resistance to PCO and biofilm formation that is caused by adhesion and proliferation of fibroblasts. These findings fully support bioanalogic concept of intraocular lens WIOL-CF® that is produced from this unique material.

Financial Disclosure:

One or more of the authors is employed by a for-profit company with an interest in the subject of the presentation