Postoperative Changes of Continuous Curvilinear Capsulorhexis

ABSTRACT

As a growing number of surgeons are perforining cataract extraction by phacoernulsification and the continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis [CCC] has rapidly increased in popularity as the anterior capsulotomy technique, its advantages have been reported recently. But its complications induced by capsular contraction after ccc have been noted, and so we have studied the change in anterior capsular opening area and refractive error after ccc. One surgeon performed cataract extraction using ccc and phacoernulsification, and implanted posterior chamber IOL [optic size 5. 5mm, Pharmacia 812A] in the bag in 48 eyes, and we measured the area of anterior capsular opening and refractive error [spherical equivalent] at I week and 3 months after operation. The average percentage of anterior capsular shrinkage rate at 3 months was 14.8% and showed statistically significant difference [P<0.05], but. had not correlation with initial ccc size. The average refractive change at 3 months was 0. 2D hyperopic shift but did not show statistically significant difference.