To evaluate intraocular lens (IOL) rotational stability and capsular fusion process after cataract surgery with and without primary posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis (PPCCC). Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian, China. Prospective, intraindividual, randomized clinical trial. This study included 56 adult patients (112 eyes) with bilateral cataract undergoing phacoemulsification cataract surgery with PPCCC in one eye (PPCCC group) and conventional cataract surgery in the contralateral eye (NPCCC group). IOL axis orientation and fusion footprint length were measured at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery using OPD-Scan III, while capsular bend index (CBI) was assessed at the same time points using Pentacam AXL. No between-group difference was found in the absolute rotation from 1 day to 1 year (2.93 ± 1.72 vs 2.66 ± 1.61 degrees, P=0.54). The absolute rotation from 1 week to 1 month in NPCCC group was higher than that in PPCCC group (1.65 ± 0.68 vs 1.27 ± 0.32 degrees, P=0.01). At 1 month after surgery, both fusion footprint length (9.11 ± 2.74 vs. 10.67 ± 2.06 mm, P = 0.02) and CBI (2.92 ± 0.60 vs. 3.25 ± 0.59, P = 0.03) were lower in NPCCC group. Cataract surgery involving PPCCC demonstrates comparable outcomes to conventional procedures regarding long-term IOL rotational stability, therefore is a promising option for adult cataract patients scheduled for toric IOL implantation. PPCCC slightly reduces IOL rotation in the early postoperative period, which can be attributed to accelerated capsular fusion.
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