LENS REGENERATION IN NEW-ZEALAND ALBINO RABBITS AFTER ENDOCAPSULAR CATARACT-EXTRACTION

Purpose. To evaluate the regenerative capacity of the adult rabbit len s after removal of a Concanavalin A-induced posterior subcapsular cata ract. Methods. Cataractogenesis was induced by intravitreal injection of Concanavalin A in adult New Zealand albino rabbits. At 7 mo postinj ection, the cataracts were removed. Endocapsular lens extraction was p erformed by phacoemulsification and irrigation/aspiration with Balance d Salt Solution. Results. Postoperatively, lens regeneration was first noted in the Balanced Salt Solution normal lens group at 3 weeks and the Concanavalin A cataract group at 6 weeks. By the 3-mo postoperativ e examination, lens regrowth, measured by digital image analysis, fill ed 74.5% of the capsule bag in the Balanced Salt Solution normal lens group and 46.6% in the Concanavalin A cataract group. In the latter gr oup, less lens material was regenerated and at a slower rate than in e yes with extraction of a normal lens. Conclusion. This experimental mo del is the first to show that lens regeneration can occur after remova l of cataracts secondary to inflammation.