Impact of anterior capsule polishing on anterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery: a randomized clinical trial

Impact of anterior capsule polishing on capsule opacification and capsule bend after age-related cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To investigate the effect of anterior capsule polishing on postoperative capsule opacification and capsular bend in patients with age-related cataract displaying normal axial length.

SETTING

Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University at Hangzhou.

DESIGN

Prospective self-controlled trial.

METHODS

Patients with age-related cataracts aged 56 to 84 years displaying normal axial length were enrolled. Before surgery, a coin-toss method was used to randomly select 1 eye for intraoperative 360 degrees anterior capsule polishing (polishing group); the contralateral eye received no treatment (control group). Capsular bend index (CBI), anterior capsule opacification (ACO), posterior capsule opacification (PCO), and anterior capsule opening area (ACOA) were recorded at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively using swept-source optical coherence tomography and slitlamp examination.

RESULTS

21 patients (42 eyes) were enrolled. Within-group comparisons showed that both groups had significant differences in CBI between 1 week and 1 month postoperatively, and between 6 months and 12 months postoperatively ( P < .05). Between-group comparisons revealed a significant difference in CBI at 1 week postoperatively ( P < .05); at 12 months postoperatively, there was a significant difference in ACOA ( P < .05). There were no significant between-group differences regarding ACO or PCO at any timepoint ( P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients with age-related cataracts and normal axial length, 360 degrees anterior capsule polishing can delay early capsular bag deformation without increasing the risks of ACO and PCO. This approach can also limit contraction of the anterior capsule opening.

Effect of intraocular lens material and haptic design on anterior capsule contraction after cataract surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To compare anterior capsule contraction (ACC) after cataract surgery with implantation of intraocular lens (IOLs) of different materials and designs.

METHODS

We searched three electronic databases for relevant studies published up to January 1, 2023. Five randomized controlled trails (RCTs) and three cohort studies involving 1,221 eyes were included in quantitative synthesis. We extracted data, assessed their quality independently, and calculated standard mean difference (SMD) using a random-effects model. Six RCTs and one retrospective cohort were included in information summary.

RESULTS

The contraction of the anterior capsule opening area in the hydrophilic group was larger than that of the hydrophobic group from one month to one year postoperatively (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Specifically, the hydrophilic group showed greater contraction of the anterior capsule opening area at one month postoperatively (Standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -0.93 to -0.52), three months (SMD = -1.04, 95% CI = -1.32 to -0.75), six months (SMD = -0.99, 95% CI = -1.24 to -0.74) and one year (SMD = -1.33, 95% CI = -2.50 to -0.16). As of one year postoperatively, the anterior capsular opening area showed a trend of decreasing over time in both groups (P = 0.046 and P = 0.050, respectively). In information summary, three studies indicated no relationship between haptic design and ACC, while the other four studies reported that the number and shape of haptic would affect ACC.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggested that the postoperative ACC after the implantation of hydrophobic IOLs was less than that induced by hydrophilic IOLs. Haptic design may also affect the degree of ACC.

Lens Epithelial Cell Removal in Routine Phacoemulsification: Is It Worth the Bother?

PURPOSE

To review the literature on crystalline lens epithelial cell (LEC) removal in routine phacoemulsification and determine whether it should be incorporated as part of a surgeon's standard technique.

DESIGN

Perspective.

METHODS

Expert commentary with video demonstrations on techniques of removal of LECs and associated potential complications. Discussion incorporates the importance of LEC removal, a review of techniques to prevent posterior capsular opacification (PCO), and the effects of intraocular lens design on LEC proliferation and PCO.

RESULTS

The evidence suggests that LEC removal should be routinely performed as it can be carried out safely and with considerable short- and long-term benefits for patients. With effective cleanup, there is reduced anterior capsule opacification, fibrosis, and decentration of the capsular bag as well as reduced rates of posterior capsular opacification. Techniques for removal are easy to learn, with very low complication rates, and can reduce the risk of the long-term need for technically complex procedures such as intraocular lens explantation.

CONCLUSIONS

LEC removal from both the anterior and posterior capsule is part of a continuous, incremental improvement of cataract surgery and should be introduced to ophthalmology trainees during their formative years as part of their regular cataract surgery armamentarium.

Comparison of Anterior Capsule Polishing on the Rate of Neodymium: YAG Laser Capsulotomy After Two Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implantation

Purpose

To compare the impact of anterior capsule polishing (ACP) during cataract surgery on the rate of neodymium: YAG (Nd: YAG) laser capsulotomy in pseudophakic eyes with two multifocal intraocular lenses (MIOLs).

Methods

Data were collected on patients who underwent cataract surgery and implanted segmental refractive MIOLs (SBL-3, Lenstec) or diffracted MIOLs (AT LISA tri 839MP, Carl Zeiss Meditec). The participants were divided into ACP and non-ACP groups based on whether the anterior capsule was polished. The primary outcome measure was whether Nd: YAG capsulotomy was performed during the 3 years follow-up. We used Kaplan–Meier survival curves to determine the time from IOL implantation to Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy.

Results

ACP and non-ACP groups comprised 70 and 60 eyes, respectively. One year postoperatively, 7.14% of ACP group eyes and 8.33% of non-ACP group required Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy (P &gt; 0.99). After 2 years, it was 24.29 and 18.33%, respectively (P = 0.52), while after 3 years, it reached 30.0 and 28.33% (P = 0.85). No distinct difference existed in the probability of using Nd: YAG laser in both groups evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival curves (P = 0.81). Patients with diffractive MIOLs (AT LISA tri 839MP) implantation were more likely to require Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy (P &lt; 0.01).

Conclusion

Polishing the anterior capsule had no remarkable effect on reducing the rate of Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy following phacoemulsification in MIOLs. Patients with diffractive MIOLs implantation had a high probability of requiring Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy.

Impact of anterior capsular polishing on capsule opacification rate in eyes undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery

Purpose:

To evaluate the impact of anterior capsular polishing on capsule opacification and contraction in eyes undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS).

Methods:

This prospective interventional comparative analysis included patients undergoing FLACS between August 2016 and May 2017. The eyes were subdivided into three groups based on the extent of intraoperative anterior capsular polishing performed: complete 360-degree polishing; inferior 180-degree polishing; and no polishing. Visual acuity, posterior capsular opacification (PCO) score, anterior capsular opacification (ACO) grade, and capsulorhexis diameter were evaluated at 1-week, 6-months, and 1-year postoperative visits.

Results:

The study included 99 eyes of 90 patients. No significant differences were observed between the three groups in ACO grade and capsulorhexis contraction at all follow-up visits. There was a statistically significant difference in PCO grade among the groups at 6-month and 1-year follow-up but it was found to be clinically insignificant. One eye in the no polishing group underwent neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) capsulotomy at the 1-year follow-up visit.

Conclusion:

A lower incidence of PCO was demonstrated in the 360-degree polishing group, although it was visually insignificant. No significant difference in postoperative capsular contraction was demonstrated between the cohorts up to one-year follow-up.

Effect of anterior capsule polish on visual function: A meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To investigate the relationship between anterior capsule polish and visual function.

METHODS

Data were obtained from Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, WanFang, VIP and CNKI up to the end of May 2018, without any date or language restrictions for trials. The modified Jadad scale and the newcastle-ottawa scale were used to assess the quality of included studies. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) were used as outcome variables. Data on anterior capsule polish were pooled using weighted, random-effect meta-analysis.

RESULTS

One randomized controlled trial and 4 observational cohort studies involving 2533 patients were included in the analyses. There was a statistically significant difference of UCVA (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.41-2.61) between the polish group and the control group, indicating that anterior capsule polish improved UCVA. Further studies with continuous data also suggested that anterior capsule polish was associated with good UCVA (MD 0.11, 95% CI 0.06-0.16). Posterior capsule opacification rate for 1-year or longer follow-up were extracted for 2561 eyes in 3 studies. Posterior capsule opacification rate was lower in the anterior capsule polish group according to summary odds ratio on PCO rate (OR 0.42 95% CI 0.24-0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior capsule polish prevents complication of modern cataract surgery and benefits on visual function in short term follow-up period.

The Effect of Anterior Capsule Polishing on Capsular Contraction and Lens Stability in Cataract Patients with High Myopia

Purpose

To evaluate the effect of anterior capsule polishing in patients with high myopia after cataract surgery.

Setting

The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Zhejiang, China.

Design

Prospective study.

Methods

High myopic patients with a bilateral cataract who underwent phacoemulsification with 360° anterior capsular polishing in one eye and without polishing in the contralateral eye were recruited. The following parameters were recorded at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively, including the area and diameter of the anterior capsule opening (area and D), IOL tilt and decentration, refraction, and postoperative aqueous depth (PAD).

Results

Paired samples of 38 eyes of 19 patients were enrolled. The area decreased significantly in both the polished group and unpolished group, whereas the diameter reduced more in the unpolished group. The IOL tilt and decentration at 3-month and 6-month follow-up showed significant differences between two groups. In the unpolished group, the IOL decentration firstly appeared between one-month to three-month visit, while the refraction error, PAD, and IOL tilt were significantly different between the three-month and six-month visits.

Conclusion

360° anterior capsule polishing can effectively reduce the extent of the anterior capsule contraction and increase the stability of IOL. The study was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, and the clinical trial accession number is NCT 03142269.

Effects of Residual Anterior Lens Epithelial Cell Removal on Axial Position of Intraocular Lens after Cataract Surgery

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of residual anterior lens epithelial cell (LEC) removal by anterior capsule polishing on the effective lens position (ELP) and axial position stability of the intraocular lens (IOL) after cataract surgery via postoperative measurement of the anterior chamber depth.

Methods

We enrolled 30 patients (60 eyes) requiring bilateral cataract surgery for age-related cataracts. Meticulous anterior capsule polishing and removal of residual LECs under the capsule were performed using a bimanual irrigation/aspiration system for one randomly selected eye in each patient. The eye without polishing served as a control. ELP was measured at five different time points after surgery, and axial shifting of IOL was determined at each visit by comparison with the position at the previous visit.

Results

The polishing and control groups showed significant differences with regard to the mean ELP at 1 (3.40 ± 0.29 versus 3.53 ± 0.32 mm, resp.; p=0.026) and 2 months (3.42 ± 0.32 versus 3.61 ± 0.35 mm, resp.; p=0.001) after surgery, the mean standard deviation for the five ELP values (0.087 ± 0.093 versus 0.159 ± 0.138 mm, p=0.001), and the root mean square of the change in ELP at each follow-up visit (0.124 ± 0.034 versus 0.246 ± 0.038 mm, p=0.047). The eyes in the control group exhibited a tendency for backward IOL movement with a concurrent hyperopic shift in refraction of approximately 0.2 diopter at 2 months after surgery.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that residual anterior LEC polishing enhances the axial position stability of IOLs, without any complications, after cataract surgery.

Effect of number and position of intraocular lens haptics on anterior capsule contraction: a randomized, prospective trial

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to evaluate the degree of anterior capsule contraction (capsulorhexis contraction) with three different single-piece, hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs).

METHODS

Patients were prospectively randomized to be implanted with one of three types of IOLs during cataract surgery: the Ophtec Precizon (IOL A), the Lucid Korea Microflex (IOL B), and the Carl Zeiss Asphina (IOL C). One week, 2 weeks, and 6 months after surgery, the area of the anterior capsule opening was measured using digital retro-illumination images after dilation of the pupil. The data were then evaluated using POCOman software.

RESULTS

The study included 236 eyes of 202 patients. The area of the anterior capsule opening reduced by 3.53 ± 3.31 mm (17.06% ± 15.99%) between 1 week and 2 months post-operatively in the IOL A group, by 0.62 ± 1.32 mm (2.87% ± 6.03%) in the IOL B group, and by 1.09 ± 1.53 mm (4.72% ± 6.10%) in the IOL C group. The IOL B group showed minimal anterior capsule contraction 2 months after surgery (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

IOLs with a four-plate haptic design (IOL B) showed more anterior capsular stability than those with a two-loop plate haptic (IOL A) or two-plate haptic (IOL C) design. The number and position of haptics in a capsular bag may affect anterior capsule contraction. We assume that supporting the zonules evenly may play a role in anterior capsular stability.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN76566080 , Retrospectively registered (Date of registration: 14 Feb 2018).

Prevention of posterior capsular opacification

Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is a common complication of cataract surgery. The development of PCO is due to a combination of the processes of proliferation, migration, and transdifferentiation of residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) on the lens capsule. In the past decades, various forms of PCO prevention have been examined, including adjustments of techniques and intraocular lens materials, pharmacological treatments, and prevention by interfering with biological processes in LECs. The only method so far that seems effective is the implantation of an intraocular lens with sharp edged optics to mechanically prevent PCO formation. In this review, current knowledge of the prevention of PCO will be described. We illustrate the biological pathways underlying PCO formation and the various approaches to interfere with the biological processes to prevent PCO. In this type of prevention, the use of nanotechnological advances can play a role.