MEASURING THE ANTERIOR CAPSULE OPENING AFTER CATARACT-SURGERY TO ASSESS CAPSULE SHRINKAGE

Purpose: To measure anterior capsule opening (ACO) size after acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and study the natural course of AC O reduction. Setting: Kimura Eye and Internal Medicine Hospital, Hiros hima, Japan. Methods: This study comprised 32 patients (38 eyes) havin g continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, phacoemulsification, acrylic I OL implantation, and a self-sealing incision performed by 1 surgeon. A retroillumination photograph of the ACO was obtained with the Anterio r Eye Segment Analysis System and converted to a computer image. The i mages were used to measure ACO size postoperatively and calculate the reduction ratio. Follow-up was 6 months. Results: The postoperative re duction ratio in ACO size was 2.14% at 1 week, 3.83% at 1 month, 4.29% at 3 months, and 5.03% at 6 months. In a few cases, the reduction was progressively severe throughout the follow-up. Conclusions: The anter ior capsule opening shrank rapidly during the first month after acryli c IOL implantation, following by al slower progressive reduction in th e subsequent 6 months. When severe, progressive shrinkage occurs, and anterior neodymium:YAG laser capsulotomy should be performed within 2 months postoperatively.