Protective effect of the anterior lens capsule during extracapsular cataract extraction. Part I. Experimental animal study.

In an experimental study using albino Rex rabbits, the intercapsular cataract extraction (ICCE) technique was performed in 20 eyes with a small anterior capsulotomy. A large, can opener capsulotomy was performed in another 20 eyes, and 10 unoperated eyes served as controls. Endothelial cell loss was determined by vital staining with Trypan blue and Alizarin red S stains. Average endothelial cell loss with the ICCE technique was 1.2%; with the can opener technique, the average cell loss was 6.6%. This difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). The percentage of endothelial cell loss in the control eyes was 0.5. A positive correlation between endothelial cell loss related to phacoemulsification time and/or the amount of irrigating fluid used existed for the can opener group only (P less than 0.01). These results demonstrate that the presence of an almost intact anterior lens capsule during removal of lens substance is protective to the corneal endothelium.

Protective effect of the anterior lens capsule during extracapsular cataract extraction. Part II. Preliminary results of clinical study.

In a clinical study, 61 patients underwent phacoemulsification with subsequent intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. An intercapsular capsulotomy with phacoemulsification was performed on 23 patients and a can opener capsulotomy with phacoemulsification on 38 patients. Wide-field specular microscopy was performed preoperatively and postoperatively on all of the eyes in the study. The cell counts were not divulged to the surgeon before or at the time of surgery. Average endothelial cell loss for the intercapsular technique was 3.9%; with the can opener technique, the average cell loss was 10.1%. This difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.01). Positive correlations between endothelial cell loss relating to ultrasound time and/or the hardness of the cataract existed for the can opener group only (P less than 0.01). These results demonstrate that a protective effect is provided by the presence of the anterior lens capsule during lens substance removal.

Posterior capsular opacification and intraocular lens decentration. Part I: Comparison of various posterior chamber lens designs implanted in the rabbit model.

Experimental phacoemulsification procedures were performed in 54 Rex rabbits. In 96 eyes, posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) were implanted in the capsular sac, and 12 eyes served as controls with no lens implantation. The IOLs were divided into eight groups consisting of both one-piece and three-piece styles with various optic designs. Each lens was evaluated for the relative effect on posterior capsular opacification (PCO) and optic decentration, two of the most common complications of modern cataract surgery and IOL implantation. Optics with a convex-anterior, plano-posterior design (the type of IOL optic most frequently implanted today) had the highest incidence of PCO. With capsular fixated IOLs, the features that have a statistically significant impact on reducing PCO include (1) one-piece, all-polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) IOL styles, (2) a biconvex or posterior convex optic design, and (3) angulated loops. Lens decentration was not affected by the optic design, but statistical analysis showed that one-piece, all-PMMA IOL construction provided the most consistent centration.

Posterior capsular opacification and intraocular lens decentration. Part II: Experimental findings on a prototype circular intraocular lens design.

In a prospective randomized study, 25 New Zealand white rabbit eyes were implanted with four intraocular lens (IOL) designs. These included a one-piece modified J-loop IOL, a three-piece modified J-loop IOL, a rigid disc IOL, and an experimental compressible disc (CD) IOL. The CD IOL revealed the lowest mean posterior capsular opacification (PCO) of all IOLs tested (P less than .01). With all lenses tested, a positive correlation between PCO and decentration was found (R = 0.55, P less than .05). These results suggest that because of its design features (i.e., one-piece construction, biconvex optic, posterior angulation of the fixation element), the CD lens produces a mechanical barrier against lens epithelial cell migration and reduces the incidence of PCO.

Decentration of flexible loop posterior chamber intraocular lenses in a series of 222 postmortem eyes.

Two hundred twenty-two postmortem eyes containing posterior chamber intraocular lenses (IOLs) were analyzed for optic decentration in relationship to lens style, implant duration, and loop fixation site. Decentration values were not affected significantly by either lens style or implant duration. In 33.3% of specimens, both loops were situated within the lens capsular sac, 18.0% had both loops fixated in the ciliary sulcus, and in 48.7% one loop was fixated in the lens capsular sac and the opposite loop in the ciliary sulcus or zonular region. There was a statistically significant difference in the amount of decentration in the three fixation groups studied. Capsular fixation provides the best and most consistent centration compared with fixation of both loops in the ciliary sulcus or asymmetrical fixation with only one loop in the capsular sac.

Transcorneal extrusion of anterior chamber intraocular lenses. A report of three cases.

We examined three cases of transcorneal extrusion of anterior chamber intraocular lenses. In each case a preexisting condition (rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma, and herpes zoster ophthalmicus, respectively) contributed to corneal necrosis and subsequent extrusion of the pseudophakos. The clinicopathologic correlations of this condition are discussed, as well as some causes of corneal decompensation associated with anterior chamber lenses. We emphasize the need for careful evaluation of patients who have preexisting disease before intraocular lens implantation.