Prevention of posterior capsule opacification by an intracapsular open capsule device.

PURPOSE To investigate the ability of an open capsule device to prevent posterior capsule opacification. METHODS A total of 40 eyes of 20 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into six similar groups of 6 to 7 eyes each. After crystalline lens evacuation, one control group (group A) was implanted with a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens and no device, and another control group (group B) was implanted with a hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens and no device. The study groups were implanted with a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens and a hydrophilic acrylic device (group C), a hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens and a hydrophilic acrylic device (group D), a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lens and a hydrophobic acrylic device (group E), and a hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens and a hydrophobic acrylic device (group F). The rabbits were monitored for the ensuing 6 weeks and then killed. The enucleated eyes were evaluated using the Miyake-Apple view, Matlab software analysis, and histology. RESULTS The posterior capsule opacification score was significantly reduced in the eyes that were implanted with the tested device compared with the control eyes (clinical evaluation: 69% reduction, P = 0.001; the Miyake-Apple view analysis: 77% reduction, P = 0.000; histology: 75% reduction, P = 0.000). Soemmering's ring area was significantly reduced in the eyes implanted with the tested device compared with the control eyes (Matlab analysis: 80% reduction, P = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS The tested devices were effective in reducing posterior capsule opacification and Soemmering's ring formation.