Evaluation of interfacial properties of hyaluronan coated poly(methylmethacrylate) intraocular lenses

Polymethylmethacrylate intraocular lenses (IOLs) were surface-modified by the linking of a overlayer of hyaluronan. In vitro experiments show that the hydrophilic HA overlayer prevents fibroblasts adhesion and greatly reduces Staphyloccous epidermidis adhesion to the IOL surface. To gain insights into the interfacial properties of untreated and hyaluronan-coated PMMA IOLs, force-distance curves were obtained by atomic force microscopy, using standard and modified tips. These measurements allow clear appreciation of the marked difference between the mechanical and chemico-physical properties at the aqueous interface of the uncoated and hyaluronan-coated lenses.