[Cellular response one year after extracapsular cataract extraction--comparison of regular and heparin surface modified PMMA intraocular lenses].

PURPOSE: To compare the heparin-surface-modified and the regular polymethylmethacrylate posterior chamber intraocular lenses regarding cellular reactions one year after extracapsular cataract extraction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: 62 patients of either sex, with senile cataract, without diabetes and any preoperative pathology of the eye, were included in the study. 30 patients received HSM PMMA PC IOL and 32 patients received unmodified PMMA PC IOL. All patients had a standard extracapsular cataract extraction. At the examination after one year the best corrected visual acuity was defined, anterior segment of the eye was evaluated biomicroscopically, cell deposits were assessed and the state of posterior capsule was noticed.

RESULTS: One year postoperatively all patients in both groups had the best corrected visual acuity better than 0.5. Significantly fewer eyes with the HSM PMMA PC IOLs had cell deposits on the anterior surface of the lens (20% vs. 37.5%). The amount of cell deposits per patients was small. Irregularity of the pupil with presence of posterior synechias did not differ significantly between the groups. The percentage of patients with clear posterior capsule was greater in the group with implanted heparin-modified artificial lenses.

CONCLUSION: The study suggests that heparin-surface-modified posterior intraocular lenses result in less postoperative cellular response observed one year after extracapsular cataract extraction.