Comparison of the effect of polymethylmethacrylate and silicone intraocular lenses on rabbit corneal endothelium in vitro

An in vitro comparison of corneal endothelial damage caused by polymethylmethacrylate and by silicone intraocular lenses was made. Endothelial damage was assessed by vital staining of corneal endo thelium immediately following direct contact with an intraocular lens. Silicone lenses produced less damage than polymethylmethacrylate lenses. The difference could be attributed to a specific type of damage—membrane stripping—seen only after contact with poly methylmethacrylate lenses.