Evaluation of the biocompatibility of intraocular lens power adjustment using a femtosecond laser in the rabbit model

Session Details

Session Title: Presented Poster Session: FLACS

Venue: Poster Village: Pod 1

First Author: : N.Mamalis USA

Co Author(s): :    L. Werner   N. Ellis   J. Heczko   S. Enright   R. Alley   R. Sahler        

Abstract Details

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 object of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility (Uveal and capsular) of IOL power adjustment by femtosecond laser in a six-month Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) study.

Setting:

John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Methods:

Eight rabbits underwent phacoemulsification with bilateral implantation of an IOL. Postoperative power adjustment was performed using the femtosecond laser two weeks following implantation in one eye. The animals were then followed clinically with slit lamp examinations at weeks 1, 2, 4, 5 ,7, and 9 and then at months 3, 4, 5, and 6. The rabbits were the euthanized and the globes enucleated. The globes were bisected coronally and gross examinations and photographs from the posterior aspect were performed. After IOL explantation for power measurements, the globes were sectioned and processed for light microscopic evaluation.

Results:

Slit lamp examination showed no signs of inflammation or toxicity in the treated eyes. There was no significant difference between the study and the non treated control eyes. Both study and control eyes showed the normal postoperative findings expected in the rabbit model postoperatively. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed no sign of postoperative inflammation or toxicity and the exams were similar in the study eyes compared to the control eyes. The explanted IOLs confirmed that the change in power was consistent and within 0.1 diopters of the target.

Conclusions:

Consistent and precise power changes can be induced in the optic of commercially available hydrophobic acrylic lens in vivo, by using a femtosecond laser. Results showed that the laser treated IOLs showed no changes in biocompatibility compared to the control lenses.

Financial Disclosure:

... is employed by a for-profit company with an interest in the subject of the presentation