Corneal endothelial response to polymethylmethacrylate versus hydrogel lenses after phacoemulsification.

Abstract

We performed a study to evaluate the corneal endothelial cell response in 26 patients who received a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) intraocular lens and 26 patients who received a soft, nonfolded poly-hydroxy-ethylmethacrylate (poly-HEMA) intraocular lens after posterior chamber phacoemulsification. Specular microscopy and pachymetry were done before surgery and a mean of 8 or more weeks after surgery. The mean percent cell loss was 8.2% in the PMMA group and 10.7% in the poly-HEMA group. There was no significant difference in the pachymetry values before or after surgery between the two groups; however, in the poly-HEMA group the postoperative value was significantly higher than the preoperative value (p = 0.027). The results suggest that the amount of perioperative corneal endothelial cell loss with poly-HEMA lenses is similar to that with PMMA lenses. Further study is needed to fully evaluate the long-term corneal effects of poly-HEMA lenses.

• Authors: D P Tingey, B D Nichols, S E Jung, P E Randall
• Journal: Canadian journal of ophthalmology. Journal canadien d'ophtalmologie (Can J Ophthalmol) Vol. 26 Issue 1 Pg. 3-6 (Feb 1991) ISSN: 0008-4182 [Print] England
• PMID: 2013023 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Methacrylates
• Methylmethacrylates
• hydroxyethyl methacrylate

Topics

• Aged
• Cataract Extraction
• Cell Count
• Endothelium, Corneal (pathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Lenses, Intraocular
• Male
• Methacrylates
• Methylmethacrylates
• Visual Acuity