Liquid-like layer coated intraocular lens for posterior capsular opacification prevention

Abstract While intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is the only effective treatment for vision restoration in cataract patients, it is always suffering from the related complications after surgery. A leading post-implantation complication, posterior capsule opacification (PCO), is induced by the adhesion and proliferation of residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) on the IOL surface and posterior capsule. In recent years, various surface modified IOLs have been developed to reduce the incidence of PCO, however, these IOLs are rarely resistant to biofouling while maintaining close contact with the posterior capsule. This study reports a complex surface-functionalized hydrophobic acrylic IOL, namely (NT+LLL)-IOL, which can effectively prevent intraocular inflammation and the development of PCO. The surface of the hydrophobic IOL was functionalized with nanotopography and covalently conjugated with “liquid-like” polydimethylsiloxane brush. The (NT+LLL)-IOL was capable of inhibiting intraocular inflammatory responses triggered by bioadhesion and preventing residual LECs migration-induced PCO. Furthermore, the (NT+LLL)-IOL possessed advantages of optical transparency, excellent biocompatibility, and mechanical robustness despite the liquid-like layer coating. After in vivo implantation for 60 days, the (NT+LLL)-IOL could maintain optical properties by inhibiting intraocular inflammation, fibrous LEC proliferation, and further PCO occurrence, in contrast to the pristine IOLs which were prone to induce PCO after implantation. This technology provides a promising opportunity to develop an implantable IOL with reduced risks of post-operative complications and thus greatly beneficial for cataract patients.