Inhibition of posterior capsule opacification by a capsular adhesion-preventing ring.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the inhibitory effect of a capsular adhesion-preventing ring (CAPR) that facilitates aqueous humor circulation into the capsular bag on posterior capsule opacification (PCO) formation after cataract surgery.

METHODS

After phacoemulsification, a polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lens with (n=5) or without (n=5) a CAPR was implanted in rabbit eyes. The inhibitory effect of the CAPR on PCO formation was assessed by stereoscopic microscopy and histologic examination 8 weeks after surgery.

RESULTS

All eyes in which a CAPR was implanted demonstrated remarkably less PCO than the control eyes. Neither anteroposterior capsular adhesion nor regeneration of lens fiber occurred in 2 eyes in the CAPR group. The remaining 3 eyes with a CAPR showed partial capsular adhesion and limited lens fiber regeneration in the resultant closed capsular space.

CONCLUSIONS

The CAPR appears to prevent PCO formation by separating the anterior and posterior capsules and allowing circulation of aqueous humor, including growth inhibitory factors, into the equatorial space of the capsule through the holes and grooves in the ring.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A CAPR may be useful for preventing PCO in the clinical setting.