Capsular opening contraction after continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the progressive constriction of the anterior capsule opening that can occur after continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC).

SETTING: Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

METHODS: Changes in the anterior capsule opening after CCC were evaluated in 166 pseudophakic eyes at 1 week and 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The capsular opening diameter was measured with an image analysis system.

RESULTS: The capsular opening diameter was reduced by an average of 13.87% 3 months after CCC. There was more dense opacity in the anterior than in the posterior capsule. Lens epithelial cells (LECs) were the main cause of capsule contraction; sex, age, intraocular lens haptic length and haptic material, and CCC size did not have a statistically significant effect on capsule shrinkage (P > .05). Three months after surgery, most eyes with an initial capsular opening diameter of less than 5.5 mm had an opening diameter smaller than 5.0 mm. In most eyes with an initial capsular opening larger than 5.5 mm, the opening remained larger than 5.0 mm.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the ideal CCC size is 5.5 to 6.0 mm or larger and that LEC removal is necessary to preserve the pupillary zone and thus prevent progressive capsular opening shrinkage.