A Prospective Evaluation of Posterior Capsule Opacification in Eyes With Posterior Capsule Plaque-A Case-Control Study.

Purpose: To compare the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) between eyes with and without posterior capsule plaque after single-piece hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation 5 years postoperatively.

Design: A prospective observational case-control study.

Methods: One hundred one consecutive eyes with posterior capsule plaque (cases) were compared with the same number of cataractous eyes without posterior capsule plaque (controls). A detailed preoperative evaluation was done to detect the presence of posterior capsule plaque. Histomorphology of posterior capsule plaque was evaluated. Postoperatively, digital retroillumination photographic documentation was performed at 1 month and 1, 2, 3, and 5 years and analyzed for PCO using the Evaluation of Posterior Capsule Opacification (EPCO) software; EPCO scores and areas were calculated. The development of PCO and the influence of the anterior capsule cover (total and partial) on the IOL optic were compared.

Results: Posterior capsule plaque on histomorphology showed a large amount of collagenous, fibrous extracellular matrix, and immunofluorescence staining was positive for alpha smooth muscle actin. In the development of PCO, there was no difference between cases and controls at 1 month and 1, 2, 3, and 5 years. Between the 2 groups, there was no difference in the development of PCO within total cover and within partial cover of the anterior capsule on the IOL up to 5 years.

Conclusions: The presence of posterior capsule plaque did not increase the incidence of PCO at 5 years.