Reduction in the area of the anterior capsule opening after polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, and soft acrylic intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE

To report reduction in the area of anterior capsule opening at various postoperative intervals after continuous capsulorrhexis and to compare any differences in the area reduction between polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, and soft acrylic intraocular lenses.

METHODS

Prospectively, 240 eyes of 240 patients undergoing phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implant surgery were randomized into three groups based on the type of intraocular lens used: polymethylmethacrylate, silicone, and soft acrylic. The area of the anterior capsule opening was quantitated, and examinations were performed at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

After intraocular lens implantation, the mean anterior capsule opening area 3 months postoperatively was significantly smaller than that at 1 week in all groups (polymethylmethacrylate, P = .0090; silicone, P < .0001; soft acrylic, P = .0127). Mean percentages in area reduction at both 3 and 6 months postoperatively were significantly greater than those at 1 week and 1 month (P < .0001). In comparing the three intraocular lenses at 1 week postoperatively, no statistical significance was observed regarding the anterior capsule opening area between the three groups. However, the mean anterior capsule opening areas in the polymethylmethacrylate and soft acrylic intraocular lens groups were significantly larger than those in the silicone intraocular lens group at 1 month (P = .0024), and 3 months (P = .0032), and 6 months (P = .0022) postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

After continuous capsulorrhexis and intraocular lens implant surgery, the area of the anterior capsule opening gradually decreased for up to 3 months postoperatively. The contraction of the anterior capsule opening was greater in the silicone group than in either the polymethylmethacrylate or the soft acrylic groups.