Purpose: An electronic meter that measures electrostatic charge was designed and built. The hypothesis tested was that an intraocular lens (IOL) attains a charge during handling in the operating theatre and that washing the IOL with balanced salt solution (BSS) would result in a reduction in the surface charge. Once exposed to the air a charged IOL may attract particulate matter to its surface before implantation into the eye.
Methods: This experiment was performed in the operating theatre under sterile conditions mimicking cataract surgery. The lens box was opened onto a trolley and the lens container opened by a scrubbed assistant. The operator (also scrubbed) removed the lens with MacPherson's forceps. The charge on the lens was then measured without delay, or after the lens had been washed with 1-2 ml of BSS.
Results: The mean charge on unwashed lenses was 1.43 x 10(-10) C (n = 12) and on washed lenses was 0.59 x 10(-10) C (n = 10). The difference in the charges was significant (p = 0.03, unpaired t-test).
Conclusion: Washing of an IOL prior to implantation will reduce the surface charge and is therefore also likely to reduce the chance of contamination.