Histological observation of complete closure of anterior capsulotomy in 2 cases

We report the histological finding of complete closure of the anterior capsulotomy window in 2 cases. The cases were successfully treated with surgery after neodymium:YAG laser anterior capsulotomy failed. Histology and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the pathogenesis. Histology revealed the presence of elongated, fibroblast-like lens epithelial cells in association with extracellular matrix accumulation, which were positive for collagen types, fibronectin, and osteopontin. The cells were labeled with anti-alpha-smooth muscle actin antibody. The finding indicates that phenotypic modulation in lens epithelial cell to contractile cell type and accumulation of matrix are involved in closure of the anterior capsulotomy window.