Storage temperature can affect glistening in acrylic IOLs

The temperature at which Alcon AcrySof lenses are stored can affect their characteristics, including the formation of glistenings, according to a study. The study authors recommend close monitoring of both time and temperature at which lenses are stored to prevent glistening formation.

T. Shiba and colleagues at Jikei University in Tokyo examined the phenomenon of glistening formation in AcrySof acrylic lenses in a series of experiments. In one experiment, the lenses were soaked in physiologic saline adjusted to 15° C and 37° C in an incubator. In this experiment, glistening was observed after 1 month, whether the IOLs were stored at 37° C or 15° C.

In another test, the lenses were soaked in saline adjusted to 37° and 60° C for 5 minutes, then stored in saline adjusted to 15° C. In this test, no glistening was observed in the lenses after 5 minutes, but glistening was observed 1 month after soaking.

In a third experiment, glistening was induced by soaking in 37° C water, then dried at 15° C and soaked in saline at 15° C. When allowed to dry at 15° C, glistening decreased, the investigators found.

In a fourth experiment, dry lenses were stored at 37° C for 10 months, then soaked in saline at 15° C. After 1 month of soaking at 15° C, glistening was observable.

The study is published in the January issue of European Journal of Ophthalmology.