Capsular opacification after cataract surgery and capsule.

The lens capsule, the keystone of modern cataract surgery, has been the subject of some important and interesting investigations over the past year. This review addresses 1) inhibition of posterior capsule opacification (surgical techniques, intraocular lens design, and pharmacologic methods); 2) treatment of posterior capsule opacification; and 3) characteristics of the capsule. Of special interest are techniques for inhibiting posterior capsule opacification in pediatric patients by optic capture through a posterior capsulorhexis, the concept that sharp optic edges markedly decrease posterior capsule opacification as compared with round-edged implants, and promising work demonstrating that an immunotoxin may be effective in prevention of posterior capsule opacification.