The second halves of the explanted IOLs were sent to the Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research in Mainz, Germany, for further analysis including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDS). For SEM analysis 2.5 μm cross sections through the IOL material were acquired using an ultramicrotome (UCT, Leica, Germany) and a 35° diamond knife (Diatome, Switzerland) and mounted on silicium grids. SEM examinations were carried out in low voltage (<1 kV) conditions using an SU8000 microscope (Hitachi, Japan). For a local chemical analysis EDS was performed using a Quantax 400 EDS detector (Bruker, Germany) to detect exogenous chemical elements within the IOL material.
This study solely involves laboratory analyses of IOL explants. No additional procedures on humans or animals were performed. An informed consent and ethics committee approval were therefore not required.
This study solely involves laboratory analyses of IOL explants. No additional procedures on humans or animals were performed. An informed consent and ethics committee approval were therefore not required.