Anterior Fibroblastic Proliferation of Lens Epithelial Cells in Acrylic Intraocular Lens

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report upon two cases of anterior capsule opacification (ACO) proliferating into the pupillary region of the anterior surface of a single piece acrylic AcrySof(R) intraocular lens (IOL) (SA60AT, Alcon Laboratories, Inc., USA). The surgical removal of the ACO was also reported. METHODS: An 80-year-old woman and a 75-year-old woman underwent phacoemulsification with implantation of a single piece foldable AcrySof(R) IOL in the posterior capsular bag. ACO proliferating from the opposite sides of the IOL along the central axis were found three months after surgery. To recover visual acuity in the 80-year-old woman's eye, ACO was surgically removed with a Sinskey hook and irrigation and aspiration system. RESULTS: The patient's visual acuity was recovered after surgical removal of the ACO. Histopathologic findings of the removed tissues revealed fibroblastic proliferation of lens epithelial cells. The ACO in 75-year-old woman's eye was not treated, as it was not associated with a visual disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: In eyes containing an AcrySof(R) IOL, clinically significant ACO proliferation into the pupillary region along the central axis can occur. Surgical removal can be beneficial for recovery of visual acuity.