Quantitative measurement of the PCCC area in the postoperative period

Background/aims-The major complication of extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) is posterior capsule opacification (PCO). Posterior continuous circ ular capsulorhexis (PCCC) seems to be very promising in preventing PCO. Thi s study was aimed at determining if the PCCC area changes as a function of time and if pearl formation could influence it. Methods-24 eyes of 23 patients underwent ECCE with PCCC. Retroillumination photographs were taken at 6 months and then yearly. To measure the PCCC are a, the computerised program EPCO (evaluation of posterior capsule opacifica tion) was used. The ratio of the PCCC area in relation to the IOL surface w as calculated for the different time stages and the presence of pearl forma tion was noted. Firstly, proportional changes in diameter were compared in PCCC areas measured after 6 months and after 1 year (group I, n=13) and aft er 1 year and 2 years (group II, n=14). Secondly, PCCC areas were compared between two time stages in patients with (group III, n=19) and without pear l formation (group IV, n=8). Results-No statistically significant difference was found in diameter chang e in either group. The PCCC area remains stabile between 6 months to 1 year and 1 year to 2 years. No differences are found between eyes with or witho ut pearl formation. Conclusions-The PCCC area remains stable as a function of time and is not i nfluenced by pearl formation.