Relationship between anterior capsule contraction and posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus.

PURPOSE: To prospectively assess the relationship between contraction of the anterior capsule opening and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery in patients with diabetes mellitus.

SETTING

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Tokyo, Kaiya Eye Clinic, Hamamatsu, and Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaragi, Japan.

METHODS

This study comprised 45 patients (45 eyes) with diabetes mellitus who had cataract surgery. In all eyes, the anterior capsule opening area and degree of PCO were determined by diaphanoscopy using an anterior eye segment analysis system (EAS-100, Nidek, Inc.) 1 day and 1 year postoperatively.

RESULTS

There was no correlation between the size of the anterior capsule opening area 1 day after surgery and the degree of PCO 1 year after surgery (Pearson correlation coefficient [r] = 0.041; P =.79). The percentage reduction in the anterior capsule opening area from 1 day to 1 year after surgery did not correlate with the degree of PCO 1 year after surgery (r = -0.08; P =.60).

CONCLUSION

Contraction of the anterior capsule opening and PCO after cataract surgery cannot be explained by a common mechanism.