DOUBLE CONTOUR OF THE LENS CAPSULE EDGES AFTER CONTINUOUS CURVILINEARCAPSULORHEXIS

Background: after curvilinear capsulorhexis in cataract surgery often a double-ring shape of the remaining capsular margins can be observed. In order to better understand this phenomenon we performed a histolog ical study elf excised capsules after continuous curvilinear capsulorh exis. Methods: Ten anterior capsular specimens from cases with double- ring structure of the capsular margins after continuous curvilinear ca psulorhexis (D-group) were examined light microscopically and compared with 10 normal cases (N-group) and 10 cases with pseudoexfoliation (P -group), Three cases from each group were also examined electron micro scopically. Results: A characteristic step formation in the capsular e dges and in addition horizontal capsular splits in the border zone bet ween the zonular lamella of the anterior capsule and the capsule prope r could be demonstrated histologically in the D-group. Conclusions: Th ere seems to be a weak point of the capsular tissue in the border zone between zonular lamella of the lens and the capsule proper, The super ficial splits that we found histologically in this legion might be a p recursor or forme fruste of true exfoliation. The outward-directed tra ction force exerted by the zonular fibers seems to lead to further dis ruption in this weakened layer of the lens capsule during capsulorhexi s. producing a double-ring contour of the capsular margins.