Abstract
Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is the international standard operation procedure for cataract and has been generalized worldwide. However, lens capsule opacification, one of the common complications after cataract surgery, impacts the recovery of patients' visual function to a large extent. Lens capsule opacification has two types, anterior capsule opacification (ACO) and posterior capsule opacification (PCO), according to the location. There is not an accepted approach to treat ACO. Nd : YAG laser capsulotomy, the common treatment of PCO, can effectively improve the vision, but may cause a series of complications and is inappropriate for children who are too young to cooperate with this treatment. It is generally known that the responses of lens epithelial cells (LECs) after cataract surgery, including cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), play a key role in the pathogenesis of lens capsule opacification. Scholars found that substantial drugs can reduce the occurrence of lens capsule opacification by inhibiting, clearing, or killing LECs, and made great efforts as well as innovations on the exploration of drug species or modes of administration. This article is a systematic interpretation and elaboration about how to prevent lens capsule opacification after cataract surgery via different drugs.
Highlights
Cataract is the principal cause of blindness worldwide, leading to at least 53 million people blind up to now [1]
Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, the standard cataract surgery internationally, has the advantages of safe, effective, time-saving, and short recovery time, but the lens capsule opacification happening after operation has a severe impact on the comeback of patients’ visual function. e current studies believe that this common complication is due to the proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), matrix deposition, and contraction taking place in residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) [2]
The trauma of cataract surgery can break this balance, causing the destruction of blood-aqueous barrier (BAB) and the release of several cytokines such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interleukins, and interferons. ese reactions can induce LECs’ proliferation, migration, and EMT, which will lead to lens capsule opacification eventually and affect the visual function again
Summary
Cataract is the principal cause of blindness worldwide, leading to at least 53 million people blind up to now [1]. E current studies believe that this common complication is due to the proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), matrix deposition, and contraction taking place in residual lens epithelial cells (LECs) [2]. PCO is Journal of Ophthalmology mainly caused by the proliferation and EMT of migrated LECs on the originally acellular posterior capsule even the surface of IOL [7]. Ere is not an optimal treatment measure for lens capsule opacification, and an acknowledged method for treating ACO does not appear so far. It is generally acknowledged that this common surgical complication is mainly caused by LECs’ proliferation, migration, and EMT, and studies have been finding substantial drugs that are useful for controlling LECs. In this review, we summarized these drugs and elaborated the potential mechanisms under their efficacy as thorough as possible
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