Contact-angle analysis of intraocular lenses

Purpose: To present contact-angle measurements of commercially available intraocular lenses (IOLs) in air and in water to facilitate the understanding of how various OLs might interact in different environments. Setting: Laboratory. Methods: Five commercially available IOLs were studied: AMO® DuraLens® PS-59NB™, AMO PhacoFlex® SI-26NB™, AMO PhacoFlex II® SI-30NB®, Chiron® ChiroFlex® C10UB, and Alcon® AcrySof® MA60BM. The AMO soft acrylic model AR40™, currently under clinical study, was also evaluated. Contact-angle measurements were made in air and in water using sessile drop and captive bubble methods. Results: The sessile drop method indicated that all materials were hydrophobic in air. The captive bubble method differentiated materials based on their polar and dispersive forces. Conclusion: Contact-angle measurements differed depending on the test conditions. Proper choice of contact-angle measurement method can generate useful information about a material surface and its potential biomaterial interactions.