FIBROSIS ADJACENT TO THE ANTERIOR LENS CAPSULE AFTER EXTRACAPSULAR CATARACT-EXTRACTION

Fibrosis, contraction and opacification of the posterior lens capsule after extracapsular cataract extraction, is a frequent complication fo llowing cataract surgery. In these cases, cellular proliferation occur s along an intact posterior capsule. We report a case of fibrosis adja cent to the anterior lens capsule, where cellular proliferations and c ollagen production completely sealed the anterior capsulotomy three mo nths after a routine extracapsular cataract extraction with implantati on of a posterior chamber lens. The fibrosis led to contraction of the remainder of the anterior capsule, significantly reducing vision. Exa mination of the excised material by light and electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry, revealed cells with features compatible with fi brocytes that did not stain positive for cytokeratin. The cells were s ituated in a dense collagen matrix. An anterior capsulotomy that is to o small prevents sufficient removal of lens epithelium, and may be a r isk factor for this complication,