Anterior capsule opacification in monkey eyes with posterior chamber intraocular lenses.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the morphologic features of anterior capsule opacifications in pseudophakic monkey eyes.

METHODS

Extracapsular lens extraction with implantation of posterior chamber intraocular lenses in six monkey eyes. Eyes were enucleated 2, 4, and 12 months after implantation and then studied with light and electron microscopy. Distribution of proteoglycans was also examined with cuprolinic blue staining.

RESULTS

Anterior capsule opacifications were composed of proliferated cellular and extracellular matrix components situated between the anterior capsule and the optics of the intraocular lens. The morphologic features of the proliferated cells were consistent with epithelial cells, and these cells probably represented lens epithelial cells. The extracellular matrix, which consisted of collagen fibrils, basal lamina-like material, and microfibrils, was most prominent in the specimens obtained 12 months after lens implantation. The extracellular matrix contained proteoglycans that showed positive staining with cuprolinic blue.

CONCLUSIONS

Anterior capsule opacifications consisted of proliferated lens epithelial cells and aberrant extracellular matrix.