2M.D. Associate Professor, Medipol University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, İstanbul/TURKEY Purpose: To assess the effect of anterior lens capsule polishing (ACP) during cataract surgery on the posterior capsule opacification (PCO) time in patients who underwent uneventful cataract extraction with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we reviewed the charts of patients who underwent cataract surgery and then Nd:YAG lazer capsulotomy due to PCO lowering visual acuity under 0.5. The patients who had implantation of a same type IOL following ACP and who had the records of postoperative 1st month, 6th month and yearly follow-up examinations were included in the study. A control group was also constituted of consecutive patients who underwent the same surgery without ACP and Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. The clinical characteristics of patients and time interval between cataract surgery and Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy were compared statisticaly between two groups.
Results: Thirty-seven eyes of 37 patients were eligible for ACP and control groups. Mean age was 63.73±11.64 years (range, 49-79 years) in ACP group, and 63.14±10.6 years (range, 45-77 years) in control group. 15 of 37 subjects (41%) were male, and 22 (59%) were female in ACP group, and 20of 37 subjects (54%) were male, and 17 (46%) were female in control group. The mean time interval between cataract surgery and Nd: YAG laser capsulotomy were 35.65±8.82. months (range, 18-59 months) in ACP group, and 27.48±8.99. months (range, 10-33 months) in control group. This time interval was statistically significantly longer in ACP group (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Although cleaning up of lens remnants by ACP does not prevent PCO, it can delay its occurrence.
Keywords : Phacoemulsification, posterior capsule opacification, anterior capsule polishing, Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy