Effect of infusion bottle height on lens power after lens refilling with and without a plug.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of intraoperative infusion bottle height on the power of refilled pig lenses.

Setting: Research Laboratory, Pharmacia Intraocular Lens Manufacturing Plant, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Methods: This study comprised 2 groups of pig eyes. In 1 group, the lens was refilled with silicone oil using a plug to close the capsulorhexis; in the other group, no plug was used. The anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, and vitreous chamber depth were measured by A-scan ultrasound. The total refraction was measured with a Hartinger refractometer. Measurements were performed with the infusion bottle at 0 cm, 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm, and 100 cm above eye level. Calculations using a model eye were performed to evaluate the change in lens power based on empirical data.

Results: The mean change in the power of refilled lenses caused by varying the height of the infusion bottle was 1.8 diopters. Lenses refilled with a plug had a thickness similar to that of natural lenses. Lenses refilled without a plug were significantly thinner (P<.05). The power of lenses refilled with a plug was significantly higher that of lenses refilled without a plug (P<.05).

Conclusions: During lens refilling, infusion bottle height influenced the resulting lens power. Using a plug to close the capsulorhexis resulted in refilled lens dimensions similar to those of the natural lens.