Publication: Göz içi lens hammadde optimizasyon ve karakterizasyonu
Abstract
Katarakt, gözdeki doğal lensin saydamlığını kaybetmesi sonucu görme yeteneğini etkileyen yaygın bir göz hastalığıdır. Tedavi olarak, opaklaşmış kristalin lensi çıkarılıp yerine GİL yerleştirilmesi gerekmektedir. İlk GİL implantasyonu 1949 yılında polimetilmetakrilat (PMMA) kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Ancak PMMA'nın katlanamaması ve büyük kesi gerektirmesi nedeniyle, 1984'te silikon elastomerinden yapılmış ilk katlanabilir GİL implante edilmiştir. Günümüzde, oftalmoloji pazarında hidrofobik ve hidrofilik akrilik malzemelerden üretilen gelişmiş optik ve malzeme özelliklerine sahip GİL'ler yaygın olarak kullanılmaktadır. Hidrofilik akrilik lensler, arka kapsül opasifikasyonu (PCO) riski taşırken, hidrofobik akrilik lenslerde görsel kaliteyi bozan parlama sorunları yaşanmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, hidrofobik akrilik malzemelerde parlamayı azaltmak ve yeni bir GİL formülü geliştirmek için on altı farklı formül sentezlenmiş, bu formüllerin kimyasal, fibronektin bağlanma, glistening, termal, optik ve mekanik özellikleri incelenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, hidroksietil akrilat (HEA) monomeri ve etilen glikol dimetakrilat (EGDMA) çapraz bağlayıcısı, GİL özellikleri üzerine önemli bulgular ortaya koymuştur. Bunlar, HEA’nın GİL’lerde su emilimini artırdığı, EGDMA’ın ise mekanik özelliklerde olumsuz sonuçlar ortaya koyduğundan çapraz bağlayıcı seçiminin dikkatli yapılması. Glistening analizlerinde ise, 24 saatin sonunda F1’den F6’ya kadar olan formülasyonlarda minimal düzeyde, F7’den F16 kadar olan formüllerde ise hiç rastlanmamıştır, bir haftanın sonundaki sonuçlarda ise F3’ten F16’ya kadar olan formülasyonlarda ise hiç parlama görülmemiştir, bu durum hidrofobiklik ile pozitif bir korelasyon olduğunu ortaya koymuştur. Formülerlerin tümünde camsı geçiş sıcaklığı uygun bulunmuştur, ancak mekanik özellikleri olumsuz etkileyebilecek aşırı düşük sıcaklıklara karşı dikkatli olunması gerektiği belirtilmiştir. Fibronektin bağlanma ve optik özelliklerde ise herhangi bir korelasyon tespit edilememiştir.
Cataract is a common ocular disorder characterized by the loss of transparency of the eye’s natural lens, resulting in impaired visual function. Definitive treatment entails removal of the opacified crystalline lens followed by implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). The first IOL implantation was performed in 1949 using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). However, due to PMMA’s rigidity—which necessitated a large incision—foldable IOLs fabricated from silicone elastomer were introduced in 1984. Today, advanced IOLs produced from hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic materials, which offer superior optical and material properties, dominate the ophthalmic market. While hydrophilic acrylic lenses carry a higher risk of posterior capsular opacification (PCO), hydrophobic acrylic lenses can exhibit surface glistenings that compromise visual quality. In the present study, sixteen novel formulations were synthesized with the dual aims of reducing glistening in hydrophobic acrylic materials and developing an optimized IOL composition. These formulations were comprehensively characterized with respect to their chemical composition, fibronectin‐binding affinity, glistening behavior, thermal transitions, optical performance, and mechanical properties. The data demonstrated that incorporation of the hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) monomer significantly increased water uptake, whereas the use of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker adversely affected mechanical strength—highlighting the critical importance of crosslinker selection. Glistening assessments revealed that, at 24 hours post‐fabrication, formulations F1–F6 exhibited only minimal glistenings, while formulations F7–F16 showed none; after one week, no glistenings were detected in formulations F3–F16, indicating a positive correlation between hydrophobicity and resistance to glistening formation. All formulations demonstrated acceptable glass transition temperatures; nonetheless, caution is advised to avoid mechanical degradation at excessively low temperatures. No significant correlation was observed between fibronectin‐binding capacity and optical properties across the tested formulations.
Cataract is a common ocular disorder characterized by the loss of transparency of the eye’s natural lens, resulting in impaired visual function. Definitive treatment entails removal of the opacified crystalline lens followed by implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). The first IOL implantation was performed in 1949 using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). However, due to PMMA’s rigidity—which necessitated a large incision—foldable IOLs fabricated from silicone elastomer were introduced in 1984. Today, advanced IOLs produced from hydrophobic and hydrophilic acrylic materials, which offer superior optical and material properties, dominate the ophthalmic market. While hydrophilic acrylic lenses carry a higher risk of posterior capsular opacification (PCO), hydrophobic acrylic lenses can exhibit surface glistenings that compromise visual quality. In the present study, sixteen novel formulations were synthesized with the dual aims of reducing glistening in hydrophobic acrylic materials and developing an optimized IOL composition. These formulations were comprehensively characterized with respect to their chemical composition, fibronectin‐binding affinity, glistening behavior, thermal transitions, optical performance, and mechanical properties. The data demonstrated that incorporation of the hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) monomer significantly increased water uptake, whereas the use of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker adversely affected mechanical strength—highlighting the critical importance of crosslinker selection. Glistening assessments revealed that, at 24 hours post‐fabrication, formulations F1–F6 exhibited only minimal glistenings, while formulations F7–F16 showed none; after one week, no glistenings were detected in formulations F3–F16, indicating a positive correlation between hydrophobicity and resistance to glistening formation. All formulations demonstrated acceptable glass transition temperatures; nonetheless, caution is advised to avoid mechanical degradation at excessively low temperatures. No significant correlation was observed between fibronectin‐binding capacity and optical properties across the tested formulations.