Long-term results of various anterior capsulotomies and radial tears on intraocular lens centration

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term effects of various ante rior capsulotomies and radial tears on intraocular lens (IOL) centration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-five eyes of 87 senile cataract patients oper ated with extracapsular technique were evaluated in IOL tilt and decentrati on with a new method of measurement. According to the type of anterior caps ulotomy and number of radial tears, five groups were constituted as, can op ener, envelope, continous curvilinear capsulorhexis (CCC), CCC with one rad ial tear (relaxing incision at-quadrant 12), and CCC with two relaxing inci sions (relaxing incisions at quadrants G and 12), respectively RESULTS: Early decentration and tilt in groups CCC and CCC with one radial tear were significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.05). Late decent ration and tilt in the CCC group were significantly lower than the other gr oups (P < 0.01). Highest values of tilt and decentration were determined in envelope capsulotomy. Additional symmetric relaxing incision at quadrant 6 revealed no effect on the prevention of decentration and tilt compared to one relaxing incision. CONCLUSION: CCC with one radial tear is not ideal but sufficient for IOL ce ntration. All other anterior capsulotomy techniques, other than intact CCC, do not guarantee the IOL centration.