Removal of lens epithelial cells to delay anterior capsule-intraocular lens adherence.

To test the theory that removing lens epithelial cells at the time of cataract extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation or refractive lens exchange might decrease the rate at which the anterior capsule becomes adherent to the lens optic postoperatively, we performed the technique in approximately 200 eyes that were considered likely to require postoperative IOL exchange. In 4 eyes that had an IOL exchange procedure 6 to 12 weeks after the primary procedure, the anterior capsule was nonadherent or weakly adherent to the lens optic.