Eradication of Posterior Capsule Opacification: Documentation of a Marked Decrease in Nd:YAG Laser Posterior Capsulotomy Rates Noted in an Analysis of 5416 Pseudophakic Human Eyes Obtained Postmortem.

Objective: (1) To report the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy rate (%) of eight rigid and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) designs in a series of 5416 pseudophakic human eyes obtained postmortem, accessioned in our center between January 1988 and January 2000. (2) To identify factors that are instrumental in reducing the incidence of posterior capsule opacification, (PCO, secondary cataract) and hence the need for Nd:YAG laser posterior capsulotomy.

Design: Comparative autopsy tissue analysis.

Modern cataract surgery: unfinished business and unanswered questions.

We summarize information, based on clinicopathologic studies over the past decade, on various cataract intraocular lens (IOL) procedures and modern "specialized" IOLs, that will help surgeons continuously improve long-term results for cataract patients. Although most operations do initially provide excellent refractive correction and visual rehabilitation, late complications occur. These sometimes are missed because they are outside of the routine period of follow-up care.

Pharmacologic prevention of posterior capsule opacification: in vitro effects of preservative-free lidocaine 1% on lens epithelial cells.

Purpose: To assess the in vitro effectiveness of preservative-free lidocaine 1% in removing lens epithelial cells (LECs) from the anterior capsule and to evaluate the effect of lidocaine on the LECs.

Setting: Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Methods: Eight rabbits (16 eyes) were used in the study.

Scanning electron microscopic and histologic evaluation of the AcrySof SA30AL acrylic intraocular lens. Manufacturing quality and morphology in the capsular bag.

Purpose: To evaluate the properties of the AcrySof(R) SA30AL (Alcon Laboratories, Inc.) single-piece foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL).

Setting: Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Epithelial downgrowth after clear cornea phacoemulsification: report of two cases and review of the literature.

Objective: To report two cases of diffuse epithelial downgrowth after clear cornea phacoemulsification and to review the different treatment options for this ominous disease.

Design: Two interventional case reports.

Methods: Retrospective review of two eyes from two different patients in whom epithelial downgrowth developed 7 and 3 months after uneventful clear cornea phacoemulsification.

Snowflake degeneration of polymethyl methacrylate posterior chamber intraocular lens optic material: a newly described clinical condition caused by unexpected late opacification of polymethyl methacrylate.

Objective: To report 25 cases of gradual, but sometimes progressive, late-postoperative degeneration of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) optics of posterior chamber (PC) intraocular lens (IOL) implants, often resulting in a clinically significant visual decrease long after the implantation, sometimes to a severity that required IOL explantation/exchange.

Design: Analysis of explanted PC IOLs, clinical histories, and photographs.

Participants: We analyzed 25 case histories/photographs and/or explants from 18 patients implanted in the 1980s to mid-1990s with three-piece PC IOLs with PMMA optics and with polypropylene or PMMA haptics.

Evaluation of neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet capsulotomies in eyes implanted with AcrySof intraocular lenses.

Purpose: As of December 31, 2000, the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser posterior capsulotomy rate for the Alcon AcrySof intraocular lens (IOL) as measured in our database was 3.3%. This was the lowest of any IOL model used in the United States.

Effect of haptic angulation on posterior capsule opacification in modern foldable lenses with a square, truncated optic edge.

Purpose: To analyze the effect of different haptic angulations on posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in a modern foldable intraocular lens (IOL) with a square-edged optic designed to reduce the incidence of PCO.

Setting: Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Methods: Ten Dutch Belted, serum Pasteurella-free pigmented rabbits of the same age and sex had bilateral phacoemulsification with endocapsular IOL implantation.

Evaluation of 3 modern single-piece foldable intraocular lenses: clinicopathological study of posterior capsule opacification in a rabbit model.

Purpose: To assess the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) with 3 modern single-piece foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs) in a histopathological study and to compare the potential preventive effects of the IOL design and biomaterial in retarding PCO.

Setting: Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Methods: Thirty-one rabbit eyes were randomly operated on with phacoemulsification and implantation of 3 single-piece foldable lenses: a hydrophilic acrylic design, the Rayner Centerflex 570H (n = 11); a hydrophobic acrylic design, the Alcon AcrySof SA30AL (n = 10); and a silicone large-hole plate design, the Staar AA-4203VF (n = 10).

Rates and causes of intraoperative removal of foldable and rigid intraocular lenses: clinicopathological analysis of 100 cases.

Purpose: To analyze the rates of and reasons for intraoperative explantation of foldable and rigid intraocular lenses (IOLs) to determine the complication profile of each IOL design.

Setting: Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Methods: The study comprised data analysis of foldable (n = 85) and rigid (n = 15) IOL specimens that were explanted immediately after primary implantation.