[Chemical analysis of compounds released after damage of the intraocular lens with the Nd: YAG laser].
PURPOSE: To evaluate the amount of releasing chemical compounds after laser Nd: YAG damage of PMMA intraocular lenses. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study was undertaken in vitro condition. In two chemical vials filled with aqua humor-like solution 7 intraocular lenses in each were installed. One vial was the control group. 500 exposures to the laser Nd: YAG were performed focusing the beam on intraocular lenses in second vial. The aqua humor-like solution was analysed by gas chromatography in period of 1, 5 and 10 weeks. RESULTS: Methylmethacrylate was present in vial with damaged intraocular lenses in the first week after laser exposition, the other chemical compounds were observed after this period. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Laser Nd: YAG provokes depolymerisation of PMMA to methylmethacrylate just in time when damaging factor occurs. 2. Methyl alcohol and formaldehyde present in a longer time after damage of PMMA are the products of methylmethacrylate reactions. 3. The amount of released chemical compounds is so small and seems not to have the toxic properties.