RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This paper aimed to review the current literature on the surface modification of intraocular lenses (IOLs).</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>All articles about surface modification of IOLs published up to 2015 were identified through a literature search on both PubMed and ScienceDirect.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>The articles on the surface modification of IOLs were included, but those on design modification and surface coating were excluded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Technology of surface modification included plasma, ion beam, layer-by-layer self-assembly, ultraviolet radiation, and ozone. The main molecules introduced into IOLs surface were poly (ethylene glycol), polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, TiO 2 , heparin, F-heparin, titanium, titanium nitride, vinyl pyrrolidone, and inhibitors of cytokines. The surface modification either resulted in a more hydrophobic lens, a more hydrophilic lens, or a lens with a hydrophilic anterior and hydrophobic posterior surface. Advances in research regarding surface modification of IOLs had led to a better biocompatibility in both in vitro and animal experiments.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The surface modification is an efficient, convenient, economic and promising method to improve the biocompatibility of IOLs.</p>