COMPLEMENT ACTIVATION BY POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE MINIMIZED BY END-POINT HEPARIN ATTACHMENT

After intraocular lens implantation, despite good clinical results, many cataract patients develop a chronic uveitis, caused by an inflammatory response to the implant. One way to improve the biocompatibility of the intraocular lens is to modify the surface by end-point heparin attachment. This study shows that complement activation caused by poly(methyl methacrylate) can be diminished by end-point heparin attachment, as demonstrated by a significant reduction in the generation of C3a and fluid phase terminal complement complexes. It suggests that assessment of complement activation is a good indicator of the biocompatibility of intraocular lenses.