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Design, Material, Insertion, and Pathophysiology of IOLs

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Albert and Jakobiec's Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology

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Abstract

Pseudophakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) are likely the most implanted devices in the world and can be used in earlier stages of life (e.g., pediatric implantation). Therefore, they are expected to remain in the intraocular environment for many decades and be biocompatible. This chapter reviews designs and materials currently used in the manufacture of IOLs, as well as their pathophysiology. According to the site of fixation, IOLs are described as anterior or posterior chamber lenses. They can also be described as manufactured in one piece (the entire IOL is manufactured from the same material), or multipiece. Biocompatibility of IOL materials is usually assessed in terms of uveal biocompatibility, related to the inflammatory foreign-body reaction of the eye against the implant, as well as in terms of capsular biocompatibility, determined by the relationship of the IOL with remaining lens epithelial cells (LECs) within the capsular bag. Interaction of residual LECs with IOLs may lead to different degrees of anterior capsule opacification, interlenticular opacification (between piggyback IOLs), posterior capsule opacification, and LEC ongrowth. IOLs are expected to remain transparent throughout the life span of the patient. However, different classes of IOL materials may adversely interact with specific conditions leading to IOL optic opacification. An overview of the different causes of IOL opacification according to the IOL material is also included in this chapter.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Intermountain Ocular Research Center, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Liliana Werner

Authors
  1. Liliana Werner
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Correspondence to Liliana Werner .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health & Science, Portland, OR, USA

    Daniel M. Albert

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Joan W. Miller

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    Dimitri T. Azar

  4. Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Lucy H. Young

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Dimitri Azar

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA

    Douglas Koch

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Werner, L. (2022). Design, Material, Insertion, and Pathophysiology of IOLs. In: Albert, D.M., Miller, J.W., Azar, D.T., Young, L.H. (eds) Albert and Jakobiec's Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42634-7_192

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42634-7_192

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-42633-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-42634-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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