Efficacy of ophthalmic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in suppressing anterior capsule contraction and secondary posterior capsule opacification.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of ophthalmic nonsteroidal and steroidal antiinflammatory drugs in preventing anterior capsule contraction and secondary posterior capsule opacification (PCO) using an experimental cataract model.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.

Methods: Eight-week-old albino rabbits weighing about 2 kg each had phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. After surgery, the rabbits were divided into 3 treatment groups: diclofenac sodium ophthalmic solution, bromfenac sodium ophthalmic solution, and betamethasone ophthalmic solution. In each group, the ophthalmic solution was applied to the left eye of each rabbit twice daily; the right eye served as an untreated control. To evaluate anterior capsule contraction, the percentage of incised anterior capsule opening area was calculated on diaphanoscopic images obtained with an EAS-1000 anterior segment analyzer. For evaluation of PCO, a tissue section was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and observed under a light microscope. The PCO was quantified on the basis of the thickness of the lens epithelial cell layer on the central subcapsular area and compared among groups.

Results: Fifteen albino rabbits were used in the study. Treatment with diclofenac sodium and bromfenac sodium ophthalmic solution prevented progression of anterior capsule contraction and PCO. Treatment with bromfenac ophthalmic solution did not prevent either complication.

Conclusion: Postoperative treatment with ophthalmic nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug solutions prevented anterior capsule contraction and PCO in rabbit eyes.