The Effect of the Remnants after Cataract Extraction on the Lens Epithelial Cell Culture

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of the remnants after lens extraction on posterior capsular opacification with lens epithelial cell culture through in vitro capsular bag model. METHODS: After isolating porcine lens capsules, sterile non-toxic PMMA (polymethyl- mathacrylate) tension ring was inserted into the capsule. These were placed in organ culture medium up to 6 weeks. The grade of cell coverage of the posterior lens capsule was recorded to check the proliferative activity. RESULTS: In the process of cell culture, outgrowth of the epithelial cells was observed across the posterior capsule after a lag period. The rate of cell coverage was dependent upon the added factors. The proliferative activity was the greatest in the group where lens cortical and nuclear materials were added, and other groups showed no difference from a control group. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce posterior capsular opacification, it is important that we should not leave the lens cortical material behind during cataract surgery.