Effects of capsulotomy methods on posterior capsule opacification after cataract surgery

Abstract EN

Purpose: To determine the effect of anterior capsulotomy methods on posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery. Settings: Department of Ophthalmology, Iran Medical Sciences University, Tehran, Iran. Patients and methods: 314 eyes were examined retrospectively following intraocular lens implantation within the capsular bag between February 1991 and December 1999.

Patients were divided into 2 groups according to anterior capsulotomy techniques.

Envelop capsulotomy and continous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC) patients were followed for 6-94 (mean 42) months. Results: Posterior capsule opacification developed in 57 of 34 eyes.

The distributions of PCO were 40 of 168 eyes (23.8%) in envelope capsulotomy and 17 of 146 eyes (11.6%) in CCC.

Posteroir capsule opacification occurred significantly less (X2-P<0.005) in the patients who had an anterior capsulotomy with CCC compared to envelope capsulotomy.

Hazard of occurring PCO was significantly greater in envelope than CCC group (log, rank, p=0.004). Conclusion: CCC decreases the incidence of PCO compared to envelope capsulotomy.