Detection of lens proteins in phaco tips after phacoemulsification

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of cleaning procedures to remove water-s oluble and water-insoluble lens proteins from phaco tips after phacoemulsif ication. Setting: Academic Hospital Maastricht, Department of Ophthalmology, Univers ity Eye Clinic, and Rotterdam Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Methods: Detection of alpha A-crystallins, cytoskeletal lens proteins (vime ntin), and lens-cell membranes (MP26) was performed on new and reused phaco tips with specific markers. To detect antibodies, sodium dodecyl sulfate-p olyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting techniques were used . Results: Threshold detection levels for alpha A-crystallins, vimentin, and MP26 were 100, 43, and 108 ng, respectively. Plo detectable residues of wat er-soluble or water-insoluble lens proteins were found in outflow samples o f routinely cleaned phaco tips or in outflow samples of phaco tips that wer e not cleaned after phacoemulsification. Urea effectively eliminated water- insoluble lens proteins from contaminated phaco tips. Conclusion: After regular cleaning of phaco tips, no detectable lens protei n residues were found in the outflow samples. Moreover, omitting the cleani ng of phaco tips after phacoemulsification did not lead to detectable lens proteins in the outflow samples. UI Cataract Refract Surg 1999; 25:1510-151 4 (C) 1999-ASCRS and ESCRS.