IN-VITRO ORGANOTYPIC CULTURE METHOD TO EVALUATE THE BIOCOMPATIBILITY OF HEPARIN-SURFACE-MODIFIED INTRAOCULAR LENSES

Using an organotypic culture method, we evaluated the biocompatibility of two kinds of intraocular lenses: conventional poly(methyl methacry late) (PMMA) and heparin-surface-modified (HSM) PMMA. Chicken corneal endothelium from embryos incubated for 14 days was placed on an agar m edium and covered with one of three types of materials: PMMA, HSM PMMA , and a control, Thermanox(R). Experiments at five different times mea sured cell migration, cell multiplication, and cell adhesion. Scanning electron microscopy showed a low level of corneal endothelial adhesio n on the HSM IOL surface. There was a significant difference between t he HSM and untreated lenses in migration surface and cell density, wit h the HSM lenses having better biocompatibility.