[Influence of intraocular lens material and design on the development of posterior capsule opacification]

Based on the literature of 1999-2005, we attempted to clarify the influence of material and design of an intraocular lens (IOL) on the development of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) and identify the future problems to be solved. The sharp edge design of an IOL has significantly reduced PCO in recent years. Histopathological studies showed that a sharp capsular bend was formed at the sharp posterior optic edge, and the migration of lens epithelial cells was obviously inhibited at the site. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that the sharper the edge is, the sharper the capsular bend, and the greater the preventive effect, regardless of IOL material. The sharp capsule bend appears to represent a physical hindrance, which may induce contact inhibition of cell movement. How material participates in the preventive effect should be clarified in a future study. Thus, at the moment, the formation of capsular bend at the posterior optic edge appears to be the decisive criterion to evaluate the influence of IOL material and design on the development of PCO. Optimization of design and material of an IOL, which facilitates capsular bend formation as sharply and quickly as possible, may reduce PCO to a clinically negligible level.