Scanning electron microscopic study of 12 lenses of two types of soft acrylic intraocular lenses

Background: Evaluation of the surface properties of two models of one-piece foldable acrylic intraocular lenses (lOLs) before and after folding and passing the lOLs through an injector. Methods: We studied two foldable IOL models made of a polymethacrylate/2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate copolymer: EasAcryl 1® (Chiron) and Raysoft® 547H (Rayner). Twelve lOLs of each design with different diopters were examined. Light and scanning electron microscopy were performed before and after IOL folding and passing the lOLs through a Micra G103 injector (Chiron Adatomed) and an IC-2BU inserter cartridge (Chiron Microsert II). Results: All lOLs presented a homogeneous surface and smoothly finished edges of haptics and optics. The inner edges of all IOL haptics and the optic edges of some lOLs had ridges at high magnifications. No IOL demonstrated any folding defects of the optic such as a folding line or scratches. Three of 16 folded lOLs showed defects or cracking of the IOL haptics due to incomplete placement in the inserter cartridge. Conclusions: The two models of soft acrylic intraocular lenses showed excellent surface quality. After folding and injection process no alteration of the optics was detected in any of the lOLs. However, the lOLs need careful placement in the inserter cartridge to avoid haptic damage.