Cellular invasion on the surface of intraocular lenses. In vivo cytological observations following lens implantation.

Cellular growth on intraocular lenses can be observed by using a specular microscope. We examined in vivo the cellular pattern on the surface of implanted lenses during the early postoperative period in 63 patients. In every case inflammatory cells were noted on the lens surface at some point during the observation period. These often showed a spindle-like appearance resembling fibroblasts. The density of the cell population increased during the following days but usually did not exceed 100 cells/mm2. From the end of the first week, multinucleated giant cells may appear. In one case, a patient with a severe postoperative iritis and hypopyon demonstrated an extremely pronounced and long-lasting cellular proliferation.