Evaluation of the chemical, optical, and mechanical properties of elastomeric intraocular lens materials and their clinical significance

The current trend toward small incision cataract surgery has resulted in the use of elastomers as intraocular lens materials. Little has been published on appropriate methods of evaluating biomaterials intended for implantation in the eye. We present a methodology for such a study and report the results for two elastomeric silicone intraocular lens materials. The chemical, optical, and mechanical properties of the two materials were evaluated, as was their stability to hydrolytic and ultraviolet degradation. Qualitative correlations between these properties and clinical requirements are discussed. Both silicone materials possessed the necessary properties for use as small incision intraocular lenses.