Evaluating and defining the sharpness of intraocular lenses: part 1: Influence of optic design on the growth of the lens epithelial cells in vitro.

PURPOSE: To develop a new method for the evaluation of the optic edge design of intraocular lenses (IOLs).
SETTING: Charité Humboldt University and Berlin Eye Research Institute (Beri), Berlin, Germany.
METHODS: Poly(methyl methacrylate) IOLs with 11 edge designs were manufactured. Each lens design was evaluated using EPCO 2000. Also, edge's ability to stop cell growth was observed by placing each IOL into cell culture and observing cell growth over 18 days on average.
RESULTS: Only 3 groups, those with the sharpest edge design, prevented the growth of lens epithelial cells onto the visual axis of the lens. The edge design that effectively stopped cell growth was characterized by an area above the edge of 13.5 microm2 at the most.
CONCLUSION: Results shows that the edge design of IOLs plays an important role in the prevention of posterior capsule opacification. A specific optic edge design was most effective in this prevention.