Effect of bag-in-the-lens implantation on posterior capsule opacification in human donor eyes and rabbit eyes

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate bag-in-the-lens implantation by studying the feasibility of implanting a new type of intraocular lens (IOL) and the occurrence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in human postmortem eyes and in eyes of living rabbits. Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Antwerp, Belgium, and Netherlands Research Institute of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Methods: The IOL was implanted in 10 postmortem human donor eyes (in vitro study) and in 17 eyes of 10 rabbits (in vivo study). The postmortem capsular bags were cultured for 4 to 6 weeks, and the rabbits were killed 1 to 5 months after implantation. All capsular bags with the bag-in-the-lens were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Results: The IOL design was highly effective in restricting lens epithelial cell (LEC) proliferation in the remaining lens bag in human donor eyes and in rabbit eyes. In eyes in which the capsules were not positioned well within the groove of the IOL, LEC proliferation and PCO occurred. Conclusion: Bag-in-the-lens implantation was highly effective in preventing PCO in vitro and in vivo provided the anterior and posterior capsules were secured properly in the peripheral groove of the IOL.