Ultraviolet radiation absorption of intraocular lenses.

Abstract

To record and compare the spectral transmittance curves of intraocular lenses (IOLs) made out of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, hydrogel, and silicone from different manufacturers; to evaluate their ultraviolet radiation absorption capacities; and to contrast the recorded transmittance curves with that of the natural lens. Experimental study. We studied 17 different 21-diopter IOLs. A high-performance spectrophotometer with a diffuse transmittance accessory was employed to measure the transmittance of wavelengths from 200 nm to 800 nm through a 1.5-mm aperture. Transmittance percentage and 10% transmittance cutoff wavelength. All studied IOLs offered good ultraviolet radiation protection in the ultraviolet C (200-280 nm) and ultraviolet B (280-315 nm) ranges. A number of silicone, PMMA, and acrylic lenses showed different and, at times, only low degrees of absorption in the ultraviolet A (315-400 nm) range. Intraocular lenses of different compositions have ultraviolet radiation absorption characteristics different from that of the crystalline lens.