Purpose: To compare anterior capsule contraction in cataract patients having implantation of 1 of 5 foldable intraocular lens (IOL) models and evaluate lens epithelial cell (LEC) adhesion to each model.
Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
Methods: This study comprised 115 patients (126 eyes) without systemic or ocular complications who had phacoemulsification with IOL implantation. The eyes were randomly assigned to receive 1 of the following IOLs: acrylic MA60BM (Alcon), SA60AT (Alcon), AR40e (Advanced Medical Optics), or YA-60BBR (Hoya) or a silicone AQ310NV (Canon). Two weeks and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, the anterior capsule opening area was measured using an anterior segment analysis system (EAS-1000, Nidek) and the percentage of anterior capsule contraction was compared for each postoperative period and IOL. Cell adhesion to each IOL type was evaluated using LECs from albino rabbits.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 73.6 years +/- 5.6 (SD). Eyes with the AQ310NV and AR40e IOLs had statistically significantly greater anterior capsule contraction. The rabbit study showed statistically significantly less LEC adhesion on these 2 IOL models.
Conclusions: Anterior capsule contraction was significantly greater with the AQ310NV and AR40e IOLs than with the other IOLs. Results indicate that cell adhesion to the IOL is an important factor in preventing anterior capsule contraction.