Self-Adaptive Accommodative Intraocular Lens Enabled by Sunlight-Driven Highly Transparent Liquid Crystalline Polymers

Accommodative intraocular lens (AIOL) has attracted special attention for the treatment of cataracts with presbyopia, which is a growing health burden of an aging population. However, the progressive weakening of AIOLs accommodative function postoperatively, due to lens capsule sclerosis and ciliary muscle degeneration, remains a concern for ophthalmologists. Herein, sunlight-driven shape morphing liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) with a low phase-transition temperature was developed. By suitable modification, the prepared composite film presents outstanding optical performance, greater than 80% transmittance at the most sensitive wavelength in the human eye. At the same time, the photothermal effect of the LCP film was controlled over a human-tolerant temperature range, from 37 to 42 degrees C. In addition, the light-driven actuation of the LCP lens overcomes shortcomings of the traditional AIOLs of the heavy dependency on surrounding biological tissues, avoiding the negative effects of aging or sclerosis on focusing ability postoperatively. The deformation behavior of the LCP lens can be adjusted by light intensity and photothermal agent content, hopefully achieving personalized requirements. More importantly, the LCP materials show favorable biocompatibility, indicating the opportunity in real biological applications. This kind of reversibly light-driven polymeric materials provided inspirations in the development of accommodative intraocular implants and advanced adaptive optical elements of ophthalmoscopes.

Automated summary

A sunlight-driven shape morphing liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) has been developed for the enhancement of accommodative intraocular lenses (AIOLs). The material allows for greater optical performance and controlled deformation through photothermal effects. Compared to traditional AIOLs, this new material reduces dependency on surrounding tissues and avoids negative effects from aging or sclerosis.