IMPROVED BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF INTRAOCULAR LENSES

眼内透镜植入物（IOL）使白内障恢复视力 患者 植入物提供的视觉灵敏度 扭曲或放大的视觉是由于穿着厚厚的- 带透镜的眼镜或隐形眼镜。 然而，与所有其他 可植入的设备，有问题， 合成材料与组织的生物相容性 the eye. 透镜与角膜之间的意外接触，或 植入时或IOL植入时的其他眼组织 患者携带，可能会造成严重和无法弥补的损害 并导致晶状体摘除。 在第一阶段， 将聚合物附着到IOL支撑部分和光学部分， 改进的IOL的表面特性， 尸体眼模型初步证明在体内 猫接受改良IOL的适应症 模型 在第二阶段，我们将优化和 开发了涂层聚合物的合成和应用， 广泛证明这些材料没有毒性; 表明这些涂层对体外组织的有用性 培养分析和长达一年的动物植入研究。 的 该项目的有利结果将导致灵长类动物的植入 最终进行临床试验。 这种透镜修改是 预期可减少与IOL相关的并发症 佩戴并植入人工透镜， 甚至更多的患者， 视野

Intraocular lens implants (IOL's) have returned vision to cataract patients. The implant provides visual acuity which is not distorted or magnified as is vision resulting from wearing thick- lensed spectacles or contact lenses. However, as with all other implant able devices, there are problems with the biocompatibility of the synthetic materials with the tissues of the eye. Inadvertant contact between the lens and the cornea or other eye tissues at the time of implant or while the IOL is being carried by the patient, can cause serious and irreparable damage and result in removal of lenses. During Phase I we covalently attached polymers to IOL haptics and optics, demonstrated improved surface characteristics of the modified IOL's in a cadaver eye model an demonstrated preliminary in vivo indications of the acceptance of the modified IOL's in a feline model. During this Phase II project, we will optimize and develop the synthesis and application of the coating polymers, extensively demonstrate the lack of toxicity of these materials; indicate the usefulness of these coatings by in vitro tissue culture analyses, and up to one year animal implant studies. The favorable results of this project will lead to implants in primates and ultimately clinical testing. Such lens modification is expected to decrease the complications associated with IOL wear and make the implantation of an artificial lens feasible for even greater numbers of patients for a lifetime of improved vision.