Water-mediated lysis of lens epithelial cells attached to lens capsule.

PURPOSE To investigate the effect of distilled deionized water (DDW) on lens epithelial cells (LECs) attached to the lens capsule. SETTING Wound Healing Research Laboratory, Center for Vision Research, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia. METHODS Anterior capsulotomy specimens taken during routine cataract surgery were divided in half. One half was immersed in DDW and the other half in culture medium (control) for 1 to 5 minutes and photographed at intervals by phase-contrast microscopy. In further experiments, the capsules were exposed to DDW for 1 or 2 minutes and placed in culture for 1 week to determine whether LECs survive treatment and are capable of repopulating the lens capsule. RESULTS Distilled-deionized water induced marked swelling of the cytoplasm within 60 seconds of treatment. At 120 seconds, there was disruption of the plasma membranes, with few intact cells remaining. In the control capsules, confluent monolayers of LECs covered the entire capsule surface with a halo of LECs growing on the surrounding plastic well. Viable LECs were observed in 1 of 3 capsules treated for 1 minute with DDW. These did not reach confluence or grow off the capsule onto the surrounding well. No viable LECs were seen on capsules exposed to DDW for 2 minutes. CONCLUSIONS Short exposure of LECs to DDW induced extensive and rapid cell lysis. Distilled-deonized water may be a useful agent for instillation in the capsular bag during sealed-capsule irrigation to prevent posterior capsule opacification.