Purpose: To study the pathogenesis of membrane formation and cellular response on the surface of posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted in rabbits.
Setting: Department of Histology and Embryology, Pathology, Ophthalmology. The First Military Medical University, Guangzhou, P.R. China.
Methods: Thirty rabbits had extracapsular lens extraction and posterior chamber IOL implantation. The IOLs were removed 4, 7, 15, 30, and 90 days postoperatively. Membrane formation and cellular response on IOL surfaces were evaluated using light (n = 25), transmission (n = 5), and scanning electron (n = 5) microscopy.
Results: On 30 IOLs, the incidence of cellular adhesion was 100%. Cellular components comprised macrophages, fibroblast-like cells, epithelioid cells, giant cells, ultralarge giant cells, and lymphocytes. A thin, proteinaceous film was also seen on the surface of the IOLs. The membrane of the IOL surface comprised fibrin, collagen fibrils, macrophages, fibroblast-like cells, giant cells, and fibroblasts.
Conclusion: The findings of this study might apply to humans because cellular elements and membranes have been reported in humans.