Allergy to Lens Implant Material

Question: I am wondering what the lens implant (IOL) is made of? I have allergies to many things including possibly to some plastics that are used for IV's.

Answer: Historically Lens Implants for Cataract Surgery have been made of three or four types of materials including polymethylmethacylate, silicone copolymers, collagen-silicone copolymers and foldable flexible acrylic materials. Each of these classes of materials has been found to be highly bio compatible over many years of experience. That said, it would be very important for you to fully review your allergic history with your Cataract Surgeon. It is possible that your Cataract Surgeon might request some additional testing from an allergy specialist in order to make certain that there is no real risk of implanting a particular type of material and lens.

Important Note: The information presented on the About Cataract Surgery Blog or provided in response to a request for information in the Ask Cataract Surgeons section on http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com/ is not intended to diagnose or treat eye problems, eye conditions or eye diseases including appropriateness of treatment, risks, complications or side effects as related to Cataracts, Cataract Surgery of Lens Implants. In particular a response to an inquiry made on the Ask Cataract Surgeons section of http://www.aboutcataractsurgery.com/ is not meant to take the place of the professional medical care provided by your eye doctor, ophthalmologist and Cataract Surgeon. Contacting us via e-mail or any other means is not a substitute for medical care.