Anterior Capsule Opacification Research Articles

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

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. University hospital. Prospective self-controlled trial. Patients with age-related cataracts aged 56 to 84 years displaying normal axial length were enrolled. Prior to surgery, a coin-toss method was used to randomly select one eye for intraoperative 360° 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 slit-lamp examination. Twenty-one 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 time point (P > .05). For patients with age-related cataracts and normal axial length, 360° 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.

IOL's material and PCO

Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is the most common of late post‐surgery complications and can lead to reduced visual acuity, diplopia, or glare. The different types of material used in intraocular lenses (IOLs) plays a significant role in possible post‐surgery complications, such as anterior capsule opacification (ACO) and phimosis, posterior capsule opacification (PCO), and the formation of IOL opacification. PCO incidence increases with time and varies from 10% to 50%. The incidence of PCO will rise in the nearest future since IOLs will stay longer in the eye, as people's lifespans are increasing. It was shown that hydrophilic IOLs had significantly more and denser PCO than hydrophobic or silicone IOLs. The higher incidence of PCO formation in hydrophilic than in hydrophobic IOLs should be considered as an important medical and health economic issue when choosing the IOL for implantation.

Complete resolution of hyperopic shift in anterior capsular contraction syndrome after Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy: a case report

Link of Video Abstract: https://youtu.be/UfCbUNzPIRE Background: Anterior capsular contraction syndrome (ACCS) is a disorder in which the anterior capsulectomy opening shrinks excessively. One of the many factors that have been discovered to aggravate the problem is a lack of zonular support for the lens capsule. The prognosis for non-progression of contractions after Nd:YAG anterior capsulotomy is quite excellent. This study aims to present a complete resolution of the hyperopic shift in an anterior capsular contraction syndrome (ACCS), a rare complication of cataract surgery. Case Illustration: This case report presented a 63-year-old female who developed ACCS in the right eye two years after uncomplicated cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation. A moderate hyperopic shift of +3.00 D was noted in the affected eye at the initial presentation. Slit-lamp examination revealed an anterior capsule opacification and anterior capsular contraction with fibrosis surrounding the capsulorhexis opening. Ocular and systemic past medical history was unremarkable, and no known risk factors associated with contraction syndrome were found. Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy with six relaxing incisions was performed to release the anterior capsular contraction. Two weeks following capsulotomy, the patient’s visual acuity remarkably improved to LogMAR 0.00 without correction. The hyperopia was completely resolved, and a decrease in anterior chamber depth compared to pre-capsulotomy measurement was noted. ACCS is a possible complication following capsulorrhexis performed in uneventful cataract surgery, which may occur in patients with no known ocular or systemic risk factors. ACCS is commonly asymptomatic, and hyperopic shift is a rare manifestation of ACCS. The backward shift of the intraocular lens (IOL) induces hyperopia due to the anterior capsule contraction. The preferred treatment for ACCS is relaxing incisions using Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. Conclusion: Hyperopic shift in ACCS is a rare complication of cataract surgery. However, prompt treatment of contraction release with Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy effectively restored visual function.

Inhibition of anterior capsule opacification and contraction by the elevated anterior rim of the intraocular lens optic.

To verify the anterior capsule opacification (ACO) and contraction (ACC) of the ZCB00V intraocular lens (IOL), made of the same material as the AR40e with a high ACC rate. Retrospective cohort study. We evaluated 35 patients at 1 week, 1, 3 and 6 months post phacoemulsification with either a ZCB00V (n = 35) or FY-60AD (n = 34) IOL implantation. The ACC rate was calculated using retroillumination images of the anterior segment, and the ACO was measured using anterior segment photographs and image analysis software. The contact grade between the IOL and anterior capsule was estimated from the Pentacam® images. The postoperative ACC rates (mean ± standard deviation) at 3 months were 1.03%±2.54% for the ZCB00V and, and 7.12%±9.47% for the FY-60AD. The ZCB00V-implanted eyes showed a significantly lower postoperative ACC at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months (P < 0.01). On the other hand, the FY-60AD-implanted eyes had more pronounced ACO, and a significantly larger area of opacification (62.24%±21.32% vs. 16.90%±8.34%; P = 0.0005). Pentacam® analysis revealed a space between the anterior capsule and IOL surface in the ZCB00V-implanted eyes, whereas the anterior capsule firmly adhered to the IOL surface in the FY-60AD-implanted eyes. The ACC and ACO were significantly lower in eyes with ZCB00V IOLs compared to those with the FY-60AD. The anterior segment image analysis revealed that the elevated anterior rim of the ZCB00V IOL prevented adhesion between the anterior capsule and IOL optic surface, suggesting an open capsule effect.

Let-7c-3p suppresses lens epithelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibiting cadherin-11 expression in fibrotic cataract.

Fibrotic cataract, including anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC) and posterior capsule opacification, always lead to visual impairment. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-known event that causes phenotypic alterations in lens epithelial cells (LECs) during lens fibrosis. Accumulating studies have demonstrated that microRNAs are important regulators of EMT and fibrosis. However, the evidence explaining how microRNAs modulate the behavior and alter the cellular phenotypes of the lens epithelium in fibrotic cataract is insufficient. In this study, we found that hsa-let-7c-3p is downregulated in LECs in human ASC in vivo as well as in TGFβ2-induced EMT in vitro, indicating that hsa-let-7c-3p may participate in modulating the profibrotic processes in the lens. We then demonstrated that overexpression of hsa-let-7c-3p markedly suppressed human LEC proliferation and migration and attenuated TGFβ2-induced EMT and injury-induced ASC in a mouse model. In addition, hsa-let-7c-3p mediated lens fibrosis by directly targeting the CDH11 gene, which encodes cadherin-11 protein, an important mediator in the EMT signaling pathway. It decreased cadherin-11 protein expression at the posttranscriptional level but not at the transcriptional level by binding to a specific site in the 3-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of CDH11 mRNA. Moreover, blockade of cadherin-11 expression with a specific short hairpin RNA reversed TGFβ2-induced EMT in LECs in vitro. Collectively, these data demonstrated that hsa-let-7c-3p plays a clear role in attenuating ASC development and may be a novel candidate therapeutic for halting fibrosis and maintaining vision.

Effects of intraocular lens anterior edge design on anterior capsule morphology changes following femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy

PurposeTo compare morphological changes in the anterior capsule of two intraocular lenses (IOLs) with different anterior edge designs 6 months after femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy surgery (FLACs).MethodsThis study included 168 eyes from168 patients undergoing FLACs. Group A included 74 eyes from 74 patients who had an Acrysof IQ Restor SN6AD3 IOL implantation with a flat anterior edge and Group B included 94 eyes of 94 patients with a TECNIS Multifocal ZMB00 IOL implantation and a "peak-like" anterior edge. All patients were followed up for 6 months. We assessed anterior capsule morphological changes including variation of anterior opening diameters and lens epithelial cell (LEC) proliferation in four directions, variation of anterior opening area, and the level of anterior capsule opacification (ACO).ResultsVariation of anterior opening diameters in 4 directions were significantly lower in Group B (P < 0.05). Obvious shrinkage ratio of anterior opening diameters and contraction of anterior opening area (P < 0.05) appeared in Group A. LEC proliferation was along the "peak" in Group B, while it spread to the edge of anterior capsule in Group A. ACO grades 6 months after operation in Groups A and B were as follows: grade I in 28.38% and 82.98% of eyes, grade II in 51.35% and 17.02% of eyes, and grade III in 20.27% and 0% of eyes, respectively.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that a "peak-like" IOL anterior edge design played an important role in maintaining the morphology of anterior capsule in the early postoperative stage.

Three-year results of combined pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification in diabetic vitreous hemorrhage

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of complications following combined pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification surgery of the eyes for the management of vitreous hemorrhage due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy as well as pronounced cataracts.&#x0D; Material and Method: Phacoemulsification and 23G pars plana vitrectomy procedures were performed for the management of vitreous hemorrhage and cataracts. Age, gender, best-corrected visual acuity before and after surgery, and intra- and post-operative complications were recorded in patients with cataracts who underwent surgery due to vitreous hemorrhage.&#x0D; Results: A total of 40 eyes of 40 patients, 22 females (55%) and 18 males, were included in the study. The mean age was 58.7±7.1 (44–76) years. Logmar visual acuity changed from a mean of 2.82±0.5 preoperatively to a mean of 0.7±0.6 postoperatively. Visual acuity increased in 38 eyes (95%) postoperatively. No reduction in visual acuity was observed in any eye. Complications associated with surgery included transient intraocular pressure increase (12 eyes), hyphema (2 eyes), posterior capsule rupture (1 eye), anterior chamber fibrin exudation (4 eyes), neovascular glaucoma (1 eye), vitreous hemorrhage (4 eyes), retinal detachment (1 eye), and posterior capsule opacification (2 eyes).&#x0D; Conclusion: It was found that combined phacoemulsification and PPV surgery was safe and effective in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Combined phaco-vitrectomy is a reliable method with a minimum complication profile and prevents the need for subsequent cataract surgery.

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

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. Perspective. 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. 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. 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.

Long-term uveal and capsular biocompatibility of a new fluid-filled, modular accommodating intraocular lens.

To evaluate long-term uveal and capsular biocompatibility of a new fluid-filled modular accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) consisting of base and fluid lenses. John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. Experimental study. Bilateral phacoemulsification was performed on 8 rabbits; 1 eye received the test IOL (Juvene) and the other a hydrophobic acrylic control IOL (SA60AT). Slitlamp examinations were performed at postoperative weeks 1 and 4, and at months 2, 3, and 6. The rabbits were killed humanely at 6 months. After gross examination from the Miyake-Apple view, IOLs were removed for implant cytology. All globes were then processed for histopathologic examination. Uveal biocompatibility was similar between test and control IOLs up to 6 months postoperatively. Anterior capsule opacification appeared absent in the test group, and posterior capsule opacification (PCO) was significantly less in comparison with the control group throughout the study. At 6 months, central PCO was scored as 0.12 ± 0.23 with test IOLs and as 4.0 ± 0 with control IOLs (P < .0001, 2-tailed t test: paired 2-sample for means). Histopathologic examination confirmed the relative lack of capsular opacification in test eyes in comparison to controls and the absence of toxicity in any eye. Six weeks in the rabbit model corresponds to approximately 2 years in the human eye for PCO. In this model, the Juvene IOL maintained an open and expanded capsular bag, preventing overall capsular bag opacification while retaining excellent uveal and capsular biocompatibility.

Research Progress of Drug Prophylaxis for Lens Capsule Opacification after Cataract Surgery.

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.

Commentary: Anterior capsule polishing: The present perspective.

Commentary: Anterior capsule polishing: The present perspective.

Comparison of lens anterior capsular changes between femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification and conventional phacoemulsification for cataract patients with diabetes

Objective To compare the anterior capsule opacification and contraction of lens following femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery versus conventional phacoemulsification for cataract patients with diabetes. Methods A non-randomized control study was carried out.Eighty-five eyes of 85 cataract patients with diabetes were included from March 2015 to August 2016 in Xiamen Eye Center.The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the different surgeries.Forty-three eyes of 43 patients in the femtosecond laser group received femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification and completed the 5.3 mm capsulorhexis using the Alcon LenSx femtosecond laser platform.Forty-two eyes of 42 patients in the conventional surgery group underwent conventional phacoemulsification group and performed 5.3 mm continuous circular capsulorhexis under the guidance of Alcon VERION.Anterior capsule opacification (ACO) was graded according to Werner's method.The area of anterior capsular opening was calculated by using Image Pro Plus 6 software.The number of eyes in different grades of ACO and anterior capsule opening area between two groups were compared at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after operation. Results Initial anterior capsular opening area was not significantly different between the femtosecond laser group and the conventional phacoemulsification group (t=0.003, P=0.958). The anterior capsule opening area in the two groups among different time-points after operations was significantly different (Fgroup=73.602, P<0.001; Ftime=378.895, P<0.001), and anterior capsule opening areas were smaller in the conventional phacoemulsification group than those in the femtosecond laser group at various time points after operation (all at P<0.001). At 1 month after suigery, grade Ⅰ of the ACO was found in 29 eyes (67.4%) in the femtosecond laser group and 26 eyes (61.9%) in the conventional phacoemulsification group, and there was no significant difference between two groups (P=0.133). At 3 months after surgery, the incidence rate of grade Ⅱ of ACO was 11.6% (5/43) in the femtosecond laser group, which was lower than than that in the conventional phacoemulsification group(66.7%, 28/42), showing a significant difference between them (P<0.001). At the 6th month after operation, the incidence rate of grade Ⅲ of ACO in the femtosecond laser group was 14.0%(6/43), which was lower than that in the conventional phacoemulsification group(73.8%, 31/42), with a significant difference between them (P<0.001). Conclusions Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery for cataract is a good choose patients with diabetes mellitus because of reducing the occurrence of ACO and the contraction of anterior capsule. Key words: Cataract/surgery; Diabetic mellitus; Laser/therapy use; femtosecond laser-assisted phacoemulsification; Anterior capsular membrane, lens

In vivo evaluation of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens in the rabbit model

To evaluate the uveal and capsular biocompatibility as well as positioning stability of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) invivo in the rabbit model and compare it with a commercially available IOL. John A Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Experimental study. Fifteen New Zealand rabbits had the new test IOL(Clareon CNA0T0) implanted in one eye and a control IOL (Acrysof SN60WF) implanted in the contralateral eye. The testIOL is manufactured from a new hydrophobic acrylic material incorporating ultraviolet blocker and blue light filter. Its design is based on the control IOL's platform. The rabbits were followed up with weekly slitlamp evaluations, which assessed inflammatory reactions as well as capsular bag opacification. Anterior chamber depth was measured at 1 and 4weeks post-implantation (high-frequency ultrasound). After 4weeks, the rabbits were killed humanely and the eyes were enucleated. The anterior segment was evaluated from the posterior or Miyake-Apple view, and was then processed for complete histopathology. There were no statistically significant differences between test and control eyes in terms of postoperative inflammation and capsular biocompatibility, including posterior capsule opacification (P=.34, paired t test), and anterior capsule opacification (P=.53, paired t test), as observed during clinical and pathological evaluation. Invivo axial positioning for the test IOL was comparable to the control IOL and stable over time (P=.531 versus P=.788). The new IOL showed biocompatibility and stability comparable to the control IOL.

Occurrence of anterior and posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery with implantation of acrylic hydrophobic heparinized lenses in patients with diabetes type 2

Wstęp: Obserwacje kliniczne wskazują, że u pacjentów z cukrzycą stwierdza się częstsze występowanie zmętnienia torebki soczewki po operacji fakoemulsyfikacji zaćmy z wszczepieniem soczewki. Nowe metody operacyjne i modyfikacje sztucznych soczewek wewnątrzgałkowych zmniejszają częstość występowania zmętnienia torebki tylnej soczewki (PCO) i wykonywania YAG – kapsulotomii z powodu zaćmy wtórnej. Wyniki przeprowadzonych dotychczas badań sugerują, że operacja usunięcia zaćmy z wszczepieniem soczewek pokrytych heparyną zmniejsza ryzyko PCO u pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2.Celem pracy była ocena wpływu soczewki akrylowej hydrofobowej heparynizowanej na częstość występowania I stopnia zaawansowania zmętnienia przedniej (ACO) i tylnej torebki soczewki oraz ostrości wzroku u pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2 po niepowikłanej operacji zaćmy.Materiały i metody: Do prospektywnego badania zakwalifikowano 18 pacjentów (36 oczu) z cukrzycą typu 2, bez cech retinopatii. Przeprowadzono standardową operację usunięcia zaćmy z wszczepieniem soczewki akrylowej hydrofobowej heparynizowanej (Polylens Y10AS) do jednego oka (grupa badana) i nieheparynizowanej (Alcon SA60AT) do drugiego oka (grupa kontrolna). Oceniano najlepiej skorygowaną ostrość wzroku do dali (DBCVA) oraz występowanie ACO i PCO w badaniu retroiluminacji. Otrzymane wyniki badań poddano analizie statystycznej.Wyniki: W okresie rocznej obserwacji nie stwierdzono różnic istotnych statystycznie w występowaniu ACO i PCO w oczach pacjentów z cukrzycą z wszczepionymi soczewkami heparynizowanymi w porównaniu z oczami tych samych pacjentów z implantami nieheparynizowanymi. Nie wykazano także znaczących różnic w DBCVA między omawianymi grupami w ciągu 12 miesięcy obserwacji.Wnioski: Wyniki przedstawionych badań sugerują, że soczewki akrylowe hydrofobowe heparynizowane i nieheparynizowane wykazują podobną biokompatybilność u pacjentów z cukrzycą typu 2.

Biomaterial Influence on Intraocular Lens Performance: An Overview.

There is strong evidence that the IOL material is the factor having the greatest impact on posterior capsule opacification (PCO), anterior capsule opacification (ACO) development, and glistening formation after cataract surgery, even though there are other IOL features—such as haptic material and design and edge and optic design—that also have some influence. We reviewed the published literature describing the adverse events that are mainly related to the intraocular lens (IOL) material, such as PCO, ACO, and the subsequent capsule contraction, as well as glistening formation. The adverse events presented in this overview are the most common ones in clinical practice, and therefore, they are generally included in the clinical protocols for IOL evaluation.

Biocompatibility of Intraocular Lenses.

The performance of an intraocular lens is determined by several factors such as the surgical technique, surgical complications, intraocular lens biomaterial and design, and host reaction to the lens. The factor indicating the biocompatibility of an intraocular lens is the behavior of inflammatory and lens epithelial cells. Hence, the biocompatibility of intraocular lens materials is assessed in terms of uveal biocompatibility, based on the inflammatory foreign-body reaction of the eye against the implant, and in terms of capsular biocompatibility, determined by the relationship of the intraocular lens with residual lens epithelial cells within the capsular bag. Insufficient biocompatibility of intraocular lens materials may result in different clinical entities such as anterior capsule opacification, posterior capsule opacification, and lens epithelial cell ongrowth. Intraocular lenses are increasingly implanted much earlier in life in cases such as refractive lens exchange or pediatric intraocular lens implantation after congenital cataract surgery, and these lenses are expected to exhibit maximum performance for many decades. The materials used in intraocular lens manufacture should, therefore, ensure long-term uveal and capsular biocompatibility. In this article, we review the currently available materials used in the manufacture of intraocular lenses, especially with regard to their uveal and capsular biocompatibility, and discuss efforts to improve the biocompatibility of intraocular lenses.

Intraindividual comparison of capsule behavior of 2 hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses during a 5-year follow-up

To evaluate and compare the 5-year postoperative anterior (ACO) and posterior capsule opacification (PCO), the occurrence of glistenings, and the level of anterior capsule retraction after implantation of 2 designs of 1-piece hydrophobic acrylic IOLs. Hospital St. John, Vienna, Austria. Randomized controlled prospective case series. Patients had an Acrysof SA60AT IOL (Group A) implantedin 1 eye and a Tecnis ZCB00 IOL (Group B) implanted in the fellow eye. At 1, 3, and 5years, the PCO level was evaluated with the Evaluation of Posterior Capsule Opacification software. The level of ACO and capsule retraction was graded subjectively. Glistenings were scored as present or not present. Fifty eyes of 25 patients were evaluated after 5years. No significant differences in PCO scores were found between the 2 groups at all follow-up visits (1year: 0.06±0.12 [SD] versus 0.07±0.13, P=.35; 3years: 0.23±0.36 versus 0.22±0.32, P=.66; 5years: 0.36±0.41 versus 0.36±0.54, P=.98). A significant increase in PCO score was found between 3 and 5years (P<.01). Anterior capsule opacification was present in Group A and Group B in 18.0% and 2.7% of eyes (P=.03), in 92.0% and 24.0% of eyes, and in 100% and 52% of eyes (P<.01) at 1, 3, and 5years, respectively. Glistenings (5years 100%) were observed in Group A. Both IOLs had a comparable PCO rate 5years after surgery, although more ACO and retraction as well as glistenings were observed in Group A.

Improvement of Uveal and Capsular Biocompatibility of Hydrophobic Acrylic Intraocular Lens by Surface Grafting with 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl Phosphorylcholine-Methacrylic Acid Copolymer

Biocompatibility of intraocular lens (IOL) is critical to vision reconstruction after cataract surgery. Foldable hydrophobic acrylic IOL is vulnerable to the adhesion of extracellular matrix proteins and cells, leading to increased incidence of postoperative inflammation and capsule opacification. To increase IOL biocompatibility, we synthesized a hydrophilic copolymer P(MPC-MAA) and grafted the copolymer onto the surface of IOL through air plasma treatment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and static water contact angle were used to characterize chemical changes, topography and hydrophilicity of the IOL surface, respectively. Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) showed that P(MPC-MAA) modified IOLs were resistant to protein adsorption. Moreover, P(MPC-MAA) modification inhibited adhesion and proliferation of lens epithelial cells (LECs) in vitro. To analyze uveal and capsular biocompatibility in vivo, we implanted the P(MPC-MAA) modified IOLs into rabbits after phacoemulsification. P(MPC-MAA) modification significantly reduced postoperative inflammation and anterior capsule opacification (ACO), and did not affect posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Collectively, our study suggests that surface modification by P(MPC-MAA) can significantly improve uveal and capsular biocompatibility of hydrophobic acrylic IOL, which could potentially benefit patients with blood-aqueous barrier damage.

A new endocapsular open ring for prevention of anterior and posterior capsule opacification.

PurposeThe aim of this study is to demonstrate the functionality of a new design of a thick endocapsular open ring for prevention of anterior capsule opacification (ACO) and posterior capsule opacification (PCO).SettingThe Institute of Vision and Optics, University of Crete and University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.DesignProspective, interventional pilot study.MethodsFifteen patients (17 eyes) underwent cataract surgery with phacoemulsification. During surgery, a thick endocapsular open ring (peripheral capsule reconstructor) was inserted into the capsular bag, prior to intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Six different models of IOL were implanted. Postoperatively, the degree of ACO and PCO was evaluated and described as none, mild, moderate, or severe.ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 30±8.06 months (range: 12–36 months). At the last follow-up, mild PCO was observed in only three eyes and mild ACO in three patients. The centration of IOLs was good in all but one eye, which had a tilted IOL.ConclusionThe results of this pilot study suggest that the implantation of a new design of thick endocapsular open ring is feasible and may contribute to the prevention of PCO and ACO after cataract surgery.

Sprouty2 Suppresses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Human Lens Epithelial Cells through Blockade of Smad2 and ERK1/2 Pathways.

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of anterior subcapsular cataract (ASC) and capsule opacification. In mouse lens, Sprouty2 (Spry2) has a negative regulatory role on TGFβ signaling. However, the regulation of Spry2 during ASC development and how Spry2 modulates TGFβ signaling pathway in human LECs have not been characterized. Here, we demonstrate that Spry2 expression level is decreased in anterior capsule LECs of ASC patients. Spry2 negatively regulates TGFβ2-induced EMT and migration of LECs through inhibition of Smad2 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Also, blockade of Smad2 or ERK1/2 activation suppresses EMT caused by Spry2 downregulation. Collectively, our results for the first time show in human LECs that Spry2 has an inhibitory role in TGFβ signaling pathway. Our findings in human lens tissue and epithelial cells suggest that Spry2 may become a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of ASC and capsule opacification.