Effect of lens epithelial cell aspiration on postoperative capsulorhexis contraction with the use of the AcrySof intraocular lens: randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To determine whether aspiration of lens epithelial cells (LECs) from under the anterior capsule reduces postoperative contraction of the capsulorhexis aperture.

Setting: Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom.

Methods: This prospective randomized observer-masked study comprised 100 patients who had routine phacoemulsification by the same surgeon at a district general hospital in the United Kingdom. The postoperative changes in capsulorhexis apertures and anterior capsule opacification (ACO) between Group A (aspiration of LECs) and Group B (control) were compared. Digital retroillumination images of the capsulorhexis aperture were taken 1 week and 3 months postoperatively. The area of capsulorhexis aperture was determined with computer software, and capsule opacification was graded subjectively.

Results: Three months postoperatively, the mean decrease in capsulorhexis aperture was 1.9% in Group A and 5.6% in Group B (P = .02). The ACO at 3 months was grade 2 in 44% of eyes in Group A and in 61% in Group B (P = .13).

Conclusion: Aspiration of LECs from the anterior capsule was a safe procedure that reduced capsulorhexis aperture contraction 3 months after cataract surgery.