Structure and Selected Properties of Intraocular Implants (PMMA, Acrylic)

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the structure and properties of intraocular lenses (IOL) that are available on the ophthalmological market. The majority of implants of this type are based on acrylics or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The acrylic lenses can be curled, which allows the making of just a minor incision during the associated implant surgery. The drawback of PMMA implants is their high rigidity, resulting in the need for a larger incision during the implant surgery. The benefits accrued from wearing such an implant are (1) the correction of focus for clear vision and (2) protection of the retina against UV-A radiation. X-ray diffractometry has confirmed the amorphous structure of all of the lenses investigated in this paper. The absorption and transmittance of the selected implants have been measured; differences found in the directional values of the transmittance and absorbance suggest the presence of differences in the implant coating (such as: different thickness or lack of coating on one side). It has been found that the PMMA-based implants exhibit the better properties with a level of light transmission in the visible spectrum of almost 40% and total protection against UV radiation. The acrylic implants feature lower transmittance in the visible light spectrum, and two of the investigated acrylic lenses failed to provide adequate protection against the UV radiation.