Aims: To determine the nature of intraocular lens (IOL) surface abnormalities seen after the injection of hydrophilic acrylic lenses (Rayner C-flex 570C), through their accompanying pre-packaged disposable injectors. Hexagonal and round nozzle injectors from the same lens manufacturer were compared.
Methods: A series of lenses were injected into a petri dish, using two different manufacturer-supplied disposable injectors. The injector nozzle, plunger, and IOL were subsequently examined by light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for defects.
Results: When using the hexagonal nozzle, eight out of nine lenses had linear surface abnormalities along the posterior surface of the IOL in the direction of injection. These abnormalities appeared to be scratches on the surface of the IOL and there were no corresponding defects on the nozzle. A newly introduced injector, with an oval nozzle and a larger compressible plunger, eliminated the vast majority of these surface abnormalities.
Conclusions: Manufacturer-supplied hexagonal nozzle injectors, but not oval nozzle injectors, produce linear scratches on the posterior surface of the IOL. These scratches did not disappear with time in vivo.