Lens cellular culture models obtained after cataract surgery: interest in cytogenetics analysis

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To model two new techniques of lens cellular culture after cataract surgery, depending of the technique used, in order to study cytogenetics characteristics Methods Two techniques were provided to obtain lens cells during cataract surgery according to the technique used. Twenty phacoemulsification from patients (range 15 to 83 years‐old) allowed to collect anterior capsules were collected during capsulorhexis before. Capsules were applied in thin layer on slides. Then they have been set in culture. Thirty posterior phacophagia (range 1 month‐old to 8 years‐old) allowed to collect liquids and were then cytocentrifuged. The cells centrifugated were set in culture. A cytogenetic analysis was performed with the lens cells and blood. An informed consent was obtained from the patients. Results Twelve of the twenty capsules could lead to lens culture. The culture centrifugated cells of eighteen phacophagia could be used to perform a cytogenetic analysis and found a regular karyotype according to the blood results. The lens is specially exposed to UV rays and cytogenetic anomalies could be induced and then identify. Other applications could be applied with these lens cells as study of lens pharmacological effects of drugs. Conclusion The techniques described are simple to perform and could be used in different applications. The cytogenetic analysis we used is one of those and confirms the interest to compare blood and tissue results.