[Anterior segment inflammation in cataract operation: comparison of intraocular lens implanted in the lens capsule and in the sulcus].

Intracapsular implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL) after cataract extraction is considered to be more "physiologic" than sulcus implantation. Using a laser flare-cell meter, we measured the degree of anterior segment inflammation in 24 eyes with an IOL implanted in the sulcus and 14 eyes with an IOL implanted "in the bag." All patients were followed for 1 year. The mean flare value was significantly lower in the bag-implanted eyes than in the sulcus-implanted eyes 1 day (p = 0.009) and 3 days (p = 0.012) after surgery; no significant difference in degree of flare was found between the groups after that time. At 1 year the sulcus-implanted group was found to have slightly higher flare values than a control group of 34 unoperated patients matched for age. Although this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.012), it should not be considered clinically relevant.