Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the degree of capsulorhexis phymosis following uncomplicated phacoemulsification cataract surgery in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and silicone lens implants.
Method: Sixty-four patients were evaluated 1 day, 6 weeks and 6 months following phacoemulsification cataract extraction. The anterior capsular diameters were measured with the illuminated beam of the slit lamp at 45° and 135° and the surface area of the opening calculated. We have measured and compared the change in the capsulorhexis size for both lens types and assessed its statistical significance with a paired Student's t-test.
Results: A statistically significant contraction of the capsulorhexis was noted in all patients within the first 6 weeks (p<0.001). Capsular contraction continued between 6 weeks and 6 months post-operatively but to a lesser extent (p<0.05). The difference in the degree of phymosis between the first period (1 day to 6 weeks) and the second (6 weeks to 6 months) was statistically highly significant for all patients (p<0.001). The capsular areas for the silicone lens implants were significantly smaller than for the PMMA implants at 6 weeks and 6 months. None of our patients had a clinically significant capsular contracture requiring Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy.
Conclusion: Anterior capsular contraction is commonly observed following capsulorhexis in phacoemulsification surgery. This study demonstrates that the maximum rate of contraction occurs in the first 6 weeks following surgery and is more pronounced with silicone lens implants.
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Zambarakji, H., Rauz, S., Reynolds, A. et al. Capsulorhexis phymosis following uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery. Eye 11, 635–638 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1997.168
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1997.168
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