CAPSULORHEXIS PHYMOSIS FOLLOWING UNCOMPLICATED PHACOEMULSIFICATION SURGERY

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess and compare the degree of capsulorhexis phymosis following uncomplicated phacoemulsification cat aract surgery in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and silicone lens impla nts. Method: Sixty-four patients were evaluated 1 day, 6 weeks and 6 m onths following phacoemulsification cataract extraction, The anterior capsular diameters were measured with the illuminated beam of the slit lamp at 45 degrees and 135 degrees and the surface area of the openin g; calculated. We have measured and compared the change in the capsulo rhexis size for both lens types and assessed its statistical significa nce with a paired Student's t-test. Results: A statistically significa nt contraction of the capsulorhexis was noted in all patients within t he first 6 weeks (p<0.001), Capsular contraction continued between 6 w eeks and 6 months post-operatively but to a lesser extent (p<0.05). Th e difference in the degree of phymosis between the first period (1 day to 6 weeks) and the second (6 weeks to 6 months) was statistically hi ghly significant for all patients (p<0.001). The capsular areas for th e silicone lens implants were significantly smaller than for the PMMA implants at 6 weeks and 6 months. None of our patients had a clinicall y significant capsular contracture requiring Nd:YAG laser capsulotomy. Conclusion: Anterior capsular contraction is commonly observed follow ing capsulorhexis in phacoemulsification surgery. This study demonstra tes that the maximum rate of contraction occurs in the first 6 weeks f ollowing surgery and is more pronounced with silicone lens implants.