Clinical classification of after-cataract following planned extracapsular cataract extraction.

A total of 100 eyes underwent planned extracapsular cataract extraction and were followed more than three months with a mean follow-up period of 12 +/- 8 months. After-cataract was found in 72 eyes. The after-cataract was classified by slit-lamp microscopy into two types, the remnant type and the proliferative type. The former type was due to remains of the lens materials and was present immediately after the surgery: this type was divided into veil-like and Soemmering forms. The proliferative type developed after a period following surgery and was divided into fibrous form and Elschnig form. The fibrous form was thought to be due to fibrous proliferation of the lens epithelial cells, since it was seen at or to originate from the sites of adhesion of the anterior and posterior capsules. The Elschnig form consisted of Elschnig's pearls and was divided into progressive and localized subforms. The former subform was seen more frequently in young patients than the latter subform. The incidences of the above types and forms of the after-cataract were determined. Impairment of the visual acuity due to after-cataract was seen in the proliferative type and was found in 7 eyes. A fluorophotometric study to evaluate the function of the blood-aqueous barrier was carried out in 7 patients with the presence of after-cataract and in 11 patients with no or subtle after-cataract. No difference was found in the barrier function between the two groups.