Preventing lens epithelial cell migration using intraocular lenses with sharp rectangular edges

Purpose: To compare the preventive effect on posterior capsule opacification (PCO) of an acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) and a silicone IOL, both with sharp rectangular optic edges. Setting: Jinshikai Medical Foundation, Nishi Eye Hospital, Osaka, Japan. Methods: After phacoemulsification, an acrylic IOL (AcrySof(R)) was implanted in 1 eye and a silicone IOL (CeeOn 911) in the contralateral eye of 7 rabbits, one of which was omitted from evaluation. Results: The Miyake-Apple view and histopathological findings 3 weeks after surgery revealed that the lens capsule wrapped tightly around the optic edges, conforming to a distinctly sharp bend, with both IOL types in 5 rabbits. Migrating lens epithelial cells (LECs) were inhibited at the site. The AcrySof IOL had a better capsular bend effect in the histological sections, but there was no apparent difference in PCO development between the 2 IOLs. Conclusions: The CeeOn 911 silicone IOL, with sharp rectangular optic edges, showed an effect on preventing PCO that was similar to that of the AcrySof IOL. When a discontinuous capsular bend is created by an IOL with Sharp optic edges, the bend may induce contact inhibition of migrating LECs regardless of the lens' material composition. J Cataract Refract Surg 2000; 26:1543-1549 (C) 2000 ASCRS and ESCRS.