Posters
Experimental modelling of delimited calcification of hydrophilic intraocular lenses using intraocular air or gas
Poster Details
First Author: P.Gartaganis GREECE
Co Author(s): P. Natsi S. Alimisi S. Gartaganis P. Koutsoukos
Abstract Details
Purpose:
The aim of this experimental approach is to study the stability of simulated aqueous humor which is supersaturated with respect to calcium phosphate, under the influence of air/gas on hydrophilic intraocular lenses.
Setting:
1. Department of Ophthalmology, 251 Hellenic Air Force General Hospital, Athens, Greece 2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Laboratory of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Patras and FORTH-ICEHT, Greece 3. Department of Ophthalmology, Henry Dunant Hospital, Athens, Greece 4. Department of Ophthalmology, Medical School, University of Patras, Greece
Methods:
A constant temperature and pressure, artificial eye anterior chamber reactor (ACEACR) was developed for simulating air/gas pressure and involved in achieving Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) surgery. The cell was thermostated at 37°C and the IOLs were immersed in synthetic aqueous humor (SAH), which is supersaturated with respect to calcium phosphate. The SAH was pressed out of the chamber, leaving a film of 3 mm thickness on the exposed part of the IOL. Constant pressure of ca. 30 mmHg was maintained throughout. Experiments duration was between 24- 60 hours. Calcified deposits were detected by optical microscopy.
Results:
The experiments so far, showed the formation of calcium phosphate deposits in the exposed area of the IOL. Longer exposure resulted in the development of subsurface calcific deposits, similar to the formations found earlier in batch experiments. Supersaturation in the bulk simulated aqueous humor was the same in all experiments. At the solid liquid interface however local supersaturation may rise above the bulk, depending on the radius of curvature of the meniscus formed at the IOL/simulated aqueous humor interface.
Conclusions:
We demonstrated in our experiments that the presence of air/gas bubble in ACEACR shows increased risk or propensity to calcify IOLs. Spreading of the calcific deposits was examined at the simulated aqueous humor IOL interface.
Financial Disclosure:
None
