A Case of Capsule Contraction Syndrome following Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorhexis

ABSTRACT

Capsule contraction syndrome is severe constriction of the anterior capsular opening and equatorial capsular bag diameter after extracapsular cataract surgery. It is relatively common in patients with continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, but rarely in can-opener capsulotomy or anterior radial capsular tears. It is due to capsular bag contraction from fibrous dysplasia of residual lens epithelial cells with weakened zonular resistance. We experienced a case of capsule contraction syndrome in a 72-year old woman with retinitis pigmentosa, who had phacoemulsification following an intact 5.0mm-continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis 4 months before. After successful YAG laser radial anterior relaxing capsulotomy, her visual acuity restored to 0.3, limited by cystoid macular edema.