Evaluation strength of the supporting apparatus of the lens at combination of age-related cataract with involutional changes in connective tissue

Abstract

AIM: The clinical evaluation of zonules condition in patients with age-related cataracts without weak zonular support signs against the background of connective tissue somatic involutional changes.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The main group consisted of 70 patients (70 eyes) with connective tissue involutional somatic pathology without concomitant eye pathology, eye injuries, and decompensated systemic diseases; the control group included 60 people (60 eyes) with age-related cataracts without connective tissue involutional pathology. Using ocular echography (Aviso S, Quantel Medical, France) with high resolution (50 MHz) sensor, we estimated the ciliary processes to lens equator distance symmetry in 2 main meridians (of 6 and 12 hours). Its equal value in 2 opposite meridians or difference less than 0.3 mm between them was considered as the sign of symmetry; the difference of 0.3 mm and more was a sign of asymmetry.
 RESULTS: The presence of ciliary processes to lens equator distance asymmetry between the meridians was revealed in 28 eyes in the main group (40%); in 14 of the eyes with asymmetry ranging from 0.4 and more, a 1st degree lens subluxation was revealed intraoperatively.
 CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ciliary processes to lens equator distance asymmetry indicates subclinical involutional changes in the lens ligament apparatus, which has a prognostic value for choosing a model of an intraocular lens to be implanted.