The incidence of posterior capsule opacification (PCO), the most common com
plication of modern cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation, se
ems to have decreased slightly as a result of improved surgical and cortica
l cleanup techniques. However, the reported incidence is still significant.
The diverse findings on PCO are the result in part of studies using differ
ent criteria to clinically judge and quantify the condition. In addition, t
he influence of intraocular and systemic factors are only now being identif
ied This second of a 2-part review of PCO focuses on (1) less subjective mo
rphological and patient-dependent means to evaluate and quantify PCO; (2) t
he influence of ocular factors on PCO (3) the influence of systemic factors
on PCO; (4) available means and approaches to prevent or delay PCO. J Cata
ract Refract Surg 1999; 25:1662-1674 (C) 1999 ASCRS and ESCRS.