Study of the surface of IOLs after contact with tamponade agents for vitreoretinal surgery.

We asses the interactions between the different biomaterials used in intraocular lenses (IOL) and the tamponade agents used in vitreoretinal surgery. Morphological analysis was carried out macro-filming with a telecamera coupled to an image analysis system and with a scannig electron microscope. The contact between the silicone oil and the silicone lenses causes numerous bubbles visible under the optical microscope as a result of the biophysical contact. The electron scanning microscope revealed a thin layer of silicone covering the whole surface the optic disc, while on the loops the silicone oil deposits in a charateristic spindlelike pattern. On the multifocal IOLs the silicone oil forms a surface film that masks the characteristic pattern of concentric rings. Silicone oil can distort the optical characteristics of IOLs in direct proportion to their hydrophobicity. To conclude, hydrophilic lens implants are to be prefferred in cataract patients when risk factors due to detached retina are present.