Further development of experimental techniques for refilling the lens of animal eyes with a balloon

Various techniques for experimental refilling of the lens of animal eyes are possible. We describe two new methods: Balloon insertion after endocapsular phacoemulsification and after phacoemulsification with circular capsulorhexis. The feasibility of these techniques was tested in both rabbit eyes and pig cadaver eyes. With organo-silicone gel as the balloon filling material, post-operative refractive changes of up to 4 diopters of residual hyperopia were achieved; accommodation changes were up to -1 diopter. The technique of refilling the lens with a balloon to avoid leakage of filling material warrants further study.